What Role Should our County Commission Have in Terms of Elections?

A Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Marsha Berkbigler currently running for Washoe County Commission District 1. The opinions expressed below here belong to the writer.

Nevada’s Secretary of State (SOS) Cisco Aguilar has asked the Supreme Court to provide an opinion on whether County Commissioners possess the authority to refuse certification of an election based on concerns regarding its validity even when there are known issues. 

This query demands a definitive answer from our State’s highest court, an answer that needs to address the question of whether a duly elected official representing a County or City must vote for something just because the State Legislature requires it of them.

The residents of Washoe County and the State must confront a crucial question: why have state elected officials neglected to dismantle the antiquated Dillion’s Rule mentality?  It’s my theory that no changes have been made because under the current structure many decisions can be made behind the scenes by powerful groups while keeping them out of sight of Nevada residents. Nevada has a biannual legislative session which results in interim committees making decisions regarding many things including some projects paid for with tax dollars.

County Commissioners, entrusted by the electorate, must be able to review every facet of County operations. In fact, shouldn’t they be obligated to rigorously oversee and question these operations? If state authorities are to arbitrate on County matters, then perhaps the very existence of local governments becomes questionable. Why should taxpayers fund redundant governmental layers if pivotal decisions are centralized at the state level? 

It is essential that we recognize the current concerns over the validity of past elections are not the only challenge that could be made over how Commissioners vote.  If the State decides to pass unfunded mandates to a County, should a commissioner be forced vote to support the issue even if the constituents oppose those mandates?  Can the Commissioner once again be brought up on charges and threatened with impeachment?  This issue transcends simplistic accusations of “rogue” commissioners; it is a matter steeped in political maneuvering.

The recent presentation by the County Registrar of Voters laid bare the election's deficiencies: omitted candidates, undelivered and duplicated mail-in ballots, ballots sent to incorrect addresses, and voting from non-residential locations. These revelations included the troubling image of a Registrar employee inserting a thumb drive into a computer against established protocols. Moreover, the persistent failure to purge voter rolls in Washoe County, a practice adopted elsewhere in Nevada, exacerbates the issue. 

If the SOS is correct and the State can demand a County Commissioner vote a certain way, then it is time for the County Commissioners and administration to embrace a leadership mantle, investigating the necessary reforms to ensure seamless elections that restore voter confidence and then, if necessary, take proposed changes to the State Legislature to fix any and all “rogue” laws. 

Trust in government is paramount, yet currently elusive. Despite investing $100,000 in taxpayer dollars for an external review of the Registrar's activities, the County has yet to implement the recommended changes.

When will the fiscal irresponsibility cease? When will the concerns of County residents resonate within the halls of governance? The imperative is clear: a transformative approach to election administration that assures every citizen their voice is heard and valued.

A Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Marsha Berkbigler

Provided biography: Marsha Served two terms as a Washoe County Commissioner and is running for election to Commission District 1. Marsha has previously served as the Charter Communications Vice President for Government Relations and Franchising, Government Affairs Director at Freeport-McMoRan Gold, and Business/Project Manager & Vice President of a private consulting business representing the interests of health care, engineering, mining, and general business.   Marsha also served as the District Director for Congressman Jim Gibbons.  Marsha has worked closely with federal, state, and local governments throughout her career.

A Message from the new Gallery Curator at the Makers Paradise Gallery

“I’m a late bloomer to the world of art, a single parent of one fabulous teen, who at 46 decided life is too short to do anything but what you love.

So, I threw myself full throttle into art about a year ago and the energy of that, connected me with this gallery and the wonderful people that make up Makers Paradise. 

My belief is that the heart and soul of any art gallery are its exhibitions and as the manager/curator for this gallery space (at Reno Public Market) I’d like to encourage everyone to come by and see what we have going on and or participate not just in what the gallery has to offer, but in our classroom and other events.

We are a  community gallery, a non-profit organization and to me that means everyone with the commitment and passion to create or drive to learn more about their craft should have a space to do so and to show it off. 

Makers Paradise is a place for all ages to enjoy, whether you are an artist or a connoisseur of the arts or  simply curious. I encourage you to visit us and I look forward to meeting all those that do.”

An exciting program there is the teen art class every Thursday 4-5 p.m. for just 10 dollars with all materials provided at 299 E Plumb Lane Suite 150.

An upcoming show there in the gallery’s exhibit hall from August 1st to the middle of September, with an artist reception on August 24th from 3 to 6 p.m. is Faces of Humanity: A Portrait Showcase.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Consuelo Tyree

Surviving Reno's 2024 Triple Digit Summer Heat: A Poem

In Reno's sweltering embrace, under the blazing sky,
Where the sun beats down unrelentingly, I stand amidst the dry heat,
Surviving the furnace of a hundred plus degrees.

The air shimmers and dances, a mirage on the road,
As asphalt steams and buildings sigh,
Yet I persist, with sweat upon my brow,
In this arid realm where heatwaves persist.

Oh, Reno! City of desert dreams and scorching days,
The Sierra range echoing with the sun's bright blaze,
But still, I endure, in the relentless heat,
Where each breath is a testament, each step a feat.

Mountain peaks loom in the distance, a memory of the winter’s snowfalls
Their peaks coming through a smoky sky,
But here below, in the crucible of summer's grasp, I find resilience, in this relentless clasp.

For in the furnace of a hundred plus degrees, I discover strength, and trudge on,
And as the day wanes and shadows grow long, I know that I've endured, I've emerged strong.

So here's to surviving Reno's blazing heat,
To finding fortitude in the scorching streets,
In the style of Walt Whitman, I celebrate the fight, Against the sun's unyielding light.

Is the National Automobile Museum Worth the Price of Admission?

The National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada has been attracting visitors ever since its initial opening in 1989. Classic cars being showcased range from the early 1910s to vehicles which have starred in movies, from the 1981 DeLorean seen in Back to the Future movies to the 1992 Ford Explorer showcased in Jurassic Park movies.

The first auto gallery has classic cars of the 1910s and 1920s such as the 1910 Franklin and the 1914 Detroit Electric.

Before entering the second auto gallery, a small collection of cars features the classic 1955 Ford Thunderbird and the 1917 American LaFrance Type 12 Fire Truck with a wall showcasing classic cars from the 1946 film classic It’s a Wonderful Life.

The second auto gallery of cars goes off from the previous years from the first auto gallery going into the 1930s and 1940s.

As you walk in, on the right side lies the famous 1933 Cadillac Series 452C which was owned by famous singer and movie star Al Jolson. In the same gallery rests a classic 1936 Mercedes-Benz, featuring a beautiful silver-finish to the car.

While the third main gallery was temporarily closed when I visited, outside the gallery were three eye-popping F1 cars and vintage motorcycles, including a vintage 1955 Vincent Black Knight.

Overall, it was fascinating seeing all of these classic cars from all of these years and seeing the progression of styles as well as movie cars that I recognized.

To me, it was worth the 15 dollars to get in if you take your time in the galleries admiring each of the cars. If you're not a fan of cars and go through the museum quickly, the 15 dollars might not be worth spending though.

Citizen’s Forum contribution by James Williams

Let's Have More of a Community Spirit in Our Reno Music Scene

Over the last half year, I have truly enjoyed interning with Our Town Reno as its spring music reporter. I have had the opportunity to not only improve my skills as a journalist, but to also learn more about the ever evolving music scene in Reno.

Being the previous singer of a local band, I had been informed on some of the positive and more toxic qualities of the scene. However, it wasn’t until I started interviewing local bands, artists, photographers, and creative minds alike that I realized a major issue. 

The main issue is a lack of resources allocated to small bands or rather the lack of creative individuals wanting to help newer bands looking to make a name for themselves.

When I first joined the music scene nearly two years ago, I observed that while some bands do have good intentions when it comes to supporting new musicians, most are driven by competition. A natural motivator when it comes to creating art, nonetheless, a harmful yet inescapable trait.

Many people don’t want to take risks on small bands because they won’t yield promising connections or bring in a larger audience to help fuel their own personal careers. 

Thus, a competitive nature is introduced where people are only interested in promoting others if it benefits them. This competitive quality has expanded out of the local band circle and into the media.

Photo by Kiawna Lavery

Videographers, photographers, and journalists seem to allocate most of their resources to a handful of “small bands.” I put quotes around small bands because the people that proudly claim to help smaller musicians are the ones who only help the bigger bands of Reno. Refusing to lend a helping hand to the group with 45 monthly listeners and instead putting all their time into writing articles, filming music videos, and taking pictures of bands with nine million listeners on streaming platforms, such as Surf Curse, a band formed in Reno that has since located to Los Angeles, California. 

There’s nothing wrong with allocating your creative talent to bigger bands. I think it’s extremely important that all bands get the media coverage they need to succeed. However, there’s a significant issue when people only help big bands and instead claim that they're small, usually as an incentive for people to promote their work by advertising a mission statement saying they help the underdogs. 

The issue is only perpetuated when collectives established outside of Reno creep in, picking and choosing who they'll give media coverage to based on social media followers. Yet they proudly share their mission statements, claiming they create communities small artists can thrive in. 

While on occasion some real small bands are highlighted, it's far more common for bigger bands such as Couch Dog, Mom Cars, and Peach Pit to be chosen for media opportunities within these collectives. All incredibly talented bands with over 18 thousand monthly listeners on streaming platforms. Peach Pit itself has over two million monthly listeners. 

In the grand scheme of things, that is not a lot of streams. However, when focusing on the Reno music scene specifically, that is huge compared to the local bands who are barely scraping by with less than 100 listeners a month. 

There’s a variety of talented videographers and photographers in the Reno music scene. A few genuine people who take every opportunity they can to help smaller bands make a name for themselves. Through interviews, I have discovered some of the most talented and beloved photographers of Reno: Trevor Castillo, Jake Erwin, Kiawna Lavery, Sam Z, Elizabeth Martin, Tatum Hanshew, and Daniel Lopez.

These photographers always lend a helping hand to newer bands by either taking pictures for free or offering affordable prices for band photoshoots, live show shots, and more.

Photo by Daniel Lopez.

On the other hand, different videographers and photographers focus on bigger Reno bands exclusively. Which is very honest work within itself because even big Reno bands don’t have nearly as much traction as they should. However, when a photographer says they are enthralled to help a small band with over 10 thousand monthly listeners, it feels almost offensive and nearly impossible to ever obtain proper media coverage. If a band with over 10 thousand monthly listeners is small, what would you call a band with under one thousand listeners? 

Another frustrating problem is the cliques in the Reno music scene. Some photographers, videographers, and journalists prefer to only help certain bands. They allocate all of their talent, outreach, and creative ideas to the same bands over and over leaving no consideration or thought for other upcoming artists. 

I have noticed that the bands that get the media clique resources, have gained significantly more social media traction, and monthly listeners because of these photos, music videos and articles. Therefore the impact media coverage has on the music scene is critical to the success of upcoming musicians.

To address these issues in the Reno scene, it's imperative for both media professionals and audiences alike, to encourage inclusivity and fairness in coverage. By amplifying the voices of smaller artists and challenging existing biases and cliques, we can create a more equitable and vibrant music scene where talent, not connections, determines success. Only then can Reno truly unlock the full potential of its musical landscape and celebrate the rich creativity that thrives within it.

Citizen’s Forum essay by Lauren Juillerat

My father, the hardest worker I have ever known

My dad, Garry Flippo, is the hardest worker I have ever known.

He was born in Arkansas, moved to Oregon as a child, met my mom and has literally been in Nevada since the 70s.

Dad has survived so much.

Dad volunteered to join the army before he was drafted and was told he would either go to Vietnam or Germany.

Dad said the guys had to draw sticks and the long ones went to Vietnam, the short to Germany. Dad went to Germany.

Many of his friends went to Vietnam and he never saw them again. Dad and mom were married in Reno at the chapel downtown.

Him and mom talk about the times where there was red carpet covering the sidewalks downtown and famous singers walking the streets, movies being made and you could watch as they made them.

Dad worked for only a few jobs before settling into the job he had until he retired a few years ago.

Dad has beat cancer and had a stent placed in his leg. He is loved by all of his coworkers and people that know him.

Growing up we had every kid in the neighborhood staying at our house.

Dad fed every kid and if they needed something my dad would always give mom the money to buy it. I don’t remember ever a day where my dad called in to work for being sick. He worked rain or shine.

My dad always has had my brother and I’s wellbeing in mind first and foremost. I love you dad. Thank you for everything you have always done for us all.

Father’s Day submission by Crystal Roberts 

My Father, a late blooming local YouTuber

In the YouTube world, almost everyone seems to have an angle.

Contrary to this trend, F48 Films- a self described “random channel” based in Northern Nevada- has found success without having a specific niche.

“People told me it’s hard to make it very far as a random channel. I’m happy I’ve gotten so far,” says Rober Fahrney, my dad.

In just a few years, he’s amassed more than one-thousand subscribers on YouTube without a consistent upload schedule, another usual suggestion to find success.

He says this uncommon approach to content creation is a result of his goals with the channel.

“YouTube is something I’ve always kinda wanted to do, just to be able to share my creative ability.” says Fahrney. “My videos are fairly random.”

Fahrney, who’s posted aerial drone videos, car repair, and diving videos, says he tries to avoid making content just to gain subscribers. Instead, he prefers to make content that “feel(s) good at the time”.

Despite his unconventional approach to Youtube, Fahrney has been able to spot a trend in what people do and do not respond to.

“Believe it or not, some of the most popular videos are ones that I wouldn’t have thought were going to be popular,” he says, “They were primarily how to videos working on vehicles, the ones that are least viewed seem to be a lot of the aerial shots.”

This is a trend that is disappointing to Fahrney, who prefers aerial work over more educational videos.

“I prefer aerial work because that’s a passion of mine that I’ve had since I was a young child.” Fahrney says.

When he was a kid, the man behind F48 Films found his passion in flying radio controlled mini airplanes. That passion, which eventually extended to flying drones, heavily informed the kind of content he chose to make once he started his channel.

Though he is generally positive about his experience on YouTube, Fahrney cautions new YouTubers not to push themselves too hard to reach a certain goal.

“I did get some YouTube burnout,” says Fahrney, “I was just pushing so hard trying to get the view count up and get monetized and went through that whole process and pretty much when I achieved the monetization I was at a burnout level.”

This eventually caused him to pull back from YouTube a bit to regain inspiration and regroup. Now, Fahrney says that he’s anxious to start making videos again.

“In the future I would like to work on a nice vehicle and be able to get some aerial shots of it,” he says of combining what he likes filming and content viewers seem to like from him. “I think that that would probably make it a lot better.”

Fahrney encourages anyone interested in starting YouTube to give it a try, and not to fall into the trap of putting yourself in one specific category.

“Go after your creative passion. I think if you do that, you’re probably going to have success with what you do. It’s about being passionate and being creative.”

Photos and reporting by Gwen Fahrney

Fernley, A Short Commute from Reno, But A World Apart

Fernley, Nevada is much more than a supply haven off I-80 for weary truckers and travelers, but as small town culture here and elsewhere in America becomes background noise to urbanization this community feels forgotten.

Small-town America is not a mystery to me. Growing up in a remote part of South Carolina, I was fully aware of the traditional values that drive rural communities. However, a stark reality unfolds beneath Fernley’s hometown pride, casting a shadow over the positives of the small-town life I remembered.

In Fernley, Confederate flags displayed outside several homes serve as a reminder of the deep divisions and systemic racism still prevalent in conservative rural America.

Walking through Main Street, many small businesses, the heart of a community, have shuttered their doors as victims of an unforgiving post-pandemic economic landscape.

The local workforce is being lured away by larger retailers and factories, like Walmart and Tesla, who are offering higher salaries and benefits.

Subsequently, the rising cost of living in America seeps into the town’s identity as housing prices increase and inventory decreases due to the constant influx of new residents from wealthier areas reducing affordable options for locals.

At local sports games pro-Trump slogans such “Make America Great Again” or “Let’s Go Brandon” can be heard. To me, though, it feels like a step in the wrong direction rather than a battle cry for a more prosperous future.

After former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all counts in his “Hush Money Trial” multiple residents turned their American flags upside down in protest of the verdict and their dissatisfaction with the government. “F*ck Biden” is prominently displayed outside a house for the entire to community to see.

However, even in the face of this, there are whispers of hope. The people of Fernley, clinging to the memories of a past built on community connections, are not ready to give up.

Michelle and Aaron are the owners of “All Points Grill” the best burgers and shakes on Main Street. A local veteran and former pastor has opened up a local church to all those in need.

For now, the realities of a fading small-town culture cast a shadow over what was once a quintessential American community, but the spirit of resilience remains.

Photos and Essay by Zoe Cruz a journalism student at UNR shared with Our Town Reno

Why I support candidate Lily Baran, by councilwoman Meghan Ebert

Many people have asked me why I support Lily Baran for Reno City Council, Ward 1, and that is an easy question to answer.

I first met Lily in 2022, during my own Reno City Council campaign for Ward 4. She was my sounding board on essential issues affecting all of us city-wide, especially homelessness and housing, providing excellent education and public-health-backed perspectives on these important topics.

Lily Baran is known for her regular attendance at Reno City Council Meetings and other community events. She has served on The City of Reno Charter Committee, Arts and Culture Commission, and Special Events Committee. Her relationships with these organizations, as well as the Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality, showcase her dedication to creating positive change. Her active and long-standing engagement in Reno demonstrates her genuine interest in addressing the needs of our city.

In addition to her involvement at City Council, Lily runs a community pantry and a harm reduction center from her own home, catering to those in our community who are some of the most in need. Furthermore, her weekly efforts to feed the hungry at the BELIEVE sign reflect her compassion and commitment to improving our public health and safety.

Beyond her local initiatives, Lily has been actively involved in legislative matters, contributing to tangible progress in Reno. She lobbied for SB155 which stopped the cycle of arresting and jailing our fellow citizens for homelessness-based offenses, instead referring those persons for services, and in turn, saving the city money and lifting up those who had previously been criminalized.

Lily's ability to think on her feet and take action sets her apart. Her expertise and leadership are valued and trusted by those she works with. Her proficiency in decision-making has been recognized by community members and city staff, particularly in matters related to housing and homelessness.

Lily has a remarkable ability to bring people together, transcending political differences to work towards sensible policies. Her inclusive and cooperative attitude is evident in her efforts to unite individuals from various backgrounds for the betterment of Ward 1 and all of Reno.

When the seat for City Council, Ward 1, became vacant I was moved by the hours of public comment in support of Lily’s appointment. This overwhelming call-to-run speaks volumes about her dedication and the trust the people of Reno have in her ability to fulfill her elected responsibilities and deliver achievable solutions to our most pressing problems.

Lily Baran is a dedicated individual with a strong presence in Reno. Her track record speaks for itself, with years of community service, legislative contributions, and commitment to the people. Her deep understanding of local issues and proactive approach would make her the most inspiring and effective representative of Ward 1 and the City of Reno.

Citizen’s Forum contribution by Reno Ward 4 council member Meghan Ebert

Worried about NV Energy's Proposed Basic Service Rate Hike?

Here’s a writeup below we recently received from a resident concerned by a proposed hike in NV Energy’s basic service charge rate, which was recently discussed in Carson City at the Public Utilities Commission, followed by more public forums next week here in Reno.  

“The proposed rate increase would nearly triple the basic service charge for residential customers from $16.50 to $44.40 per month,” the local commenter wrote.

“This would saddle Northern Nevadans with the highest fixed fee in the country. It will unfairly impact families on fixed or lower incomes who use less electricity, starting each month with a $45 bill before flipping on the first light switch. NV Energy's rate increase also boosts shareholder profits at the expense of hard-working Nevadans. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold a consumer session on the rate case on June 13th at 6pm at the Washoe County Commission Chambers. This is the public's opportunity to tell the PUC and NV Energy that we don't want another bill hike.”

George Cavros with Western Resource Advocates recently wrote that “when the proposed fixed charge for customers is increased, the volumetric energy rate is reduced, thereby lowering the value of a kilowatt‐hour that is conserved. The almost tripling of the fixed charge will all but remove NV Energy’s customers’ ability to lower their energy use and meaningfully save money on bills – effectively penalizing those that conserve electricity, or have made home efficiency investments, and rewarding energy waste.”

The utility says the increased basic service charge would be to reduce a $7.8 million subsidy paid by ratepayers to benefit solar rooftop customers, and that it would have benefits for customers as well.  

“A higher fixed charge creates more predictability in customer bills and … specifically decreases summer bills when usage and our customers’ bills is highest,” company official Janet Wells said in recent testimony.

NV Energy has also indicated it needs more revenue to cover inflationary pressures on its supply chains as well as to cover “higher day-to-day costs” since the pandemic ended with increased staffing levels. 

Those against this proposal say low-income and low-usage customers will have higher bills, while heavy using energy wasting customers will see declines. What are your own views?  

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, June 2024

A Local Push to Make our School Lunches Healthier and Less Wasteful

A local group of activists called the Green Team is trying to pressure the WCSD Board to have healthier and less wasteful meals in our schools ahead of its upcoming Tuesday 2 p.m. meeting.

Here’s a message they are asking the community to spread:

“On Agenda item 2.10, they will  vote on the fourth and last year of the 4 year contract between WCSD and 'Aramark Educational Service' to serve school meals. The Green Team has been talking with the district about providing more freshly-prepared meals in reusable dishware so as to ensure our children get nutritiously fed without exposure to the toxins of single-use plastic, to reduce foodwaste with a composting system, and to reduce the radical amount of single-use trash going into our landfills. 

We encourage public comment before this meeting in order to continue pressing the district to make the necessary shifts. Here is a suggestion, to be used/edited by you as you see fit:

         Email Subject Line: Agenda item 2.10, Aramark Contract

         Email public comment to: publiccomments@washoeschools.net

         Email Board of Trustees: BoardMembers@washoeschools.net

“Thank you to the board for its hard work and commitment to our children.  I identify with a growing number of parents and citizens across the district extremely concerned about the toxicity of plastics, processed food in school meals, and waste. 

I ask that the WCSD amend its contract with Aramark and any other future vendor to incorporate clear policies of sustainability and health, pertaining to how school meals are prepared and served to our children. Currently, school meals in the WCSD, much of which is highly processed, is served and heated in plastic packaging and served with single-use foodware including styrofoam, thereby creating a dramatic amount of toxicity and waste in our district. 

Please establish in future contracts with vendors conditions to integrate reusable dishware, and facilities for dishwashing, scratch cooking and composting. There is plenty of evidence of recoup on such vital investments, and WCSD has the opportunity here to lead. I also ask that individual public schools be allowed to subcontract with a catering company of choice, just like charter schools.  

Respectfully submitted, concerned parent." 

Please send 'Public Comment' by Tues May 28 by 1:30pm latest!”

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, May 2024

Lily Baran, Helping a Neighbor in Need, But Running out of Options

UPDATE: After this was published Lily Baran indicated an anonymous community organization fulfilled the neeed and the mother and son are in line for a spot at Our Place. The community bonded together, she wrote, despite receiving no response from the commissioners the email was addressed to.

A letter Lily Baran wrote to Washoe County Commissioners on May 24th, 2024:

“I am writing to inform you about an acute situation that has transpired this week at my home to shed some light on how the policy you've passed is playing out in some of our vulnerable neighborhoods, like the one I reside in on Elko Avenue between Wells and Valley Rd.

A few days ago someone sent police to do a wellness check on a woman and her 13-year-old living in their car across the street from my house.

They have resided in apartments on this street since August 2014.

Mom has used rental assistance 12 times in the last two years and done everything she is supposed to do, yet she is one of the many good parents caught between services and the ordinance.

I want to emphasize these are my neighbors. She has a job, but after taxes and child support paid to the foster family taking care of her other two older children, and $100 restitution from a charge she got for her other child getting in a physical altercation, she makes $200 a pay period.

The absolute last thing this mother needs is to be put in prison for being homeless, though this was what the judge informed her would happen if she was found homeless, so she didn't report that she was sleeping in the car.

To ensure this mom and incredible child get to stay together and not cause further trauma, they have been staying on my couch the last three nights, and I watch kiddo while mom is at work.

After several CPS visits, the only options given were that I could throw them back out on the street, and maybe they could get a motel but not a guarantee they would get one, that it would be safe, and again not unless I PERSONALLY throw them out.

I know that some of you are also parents, and I, as a mother, cannot live without throwing them back out to live in their car to MAYBE get a motel room for a few nights.

However, I am financially unable to support another family as I am a single mom myself, and I am in between jobs. As the co-board president of RISE, I am well aware Our Place has no openings at all however they are on our very long waiting list, and I have exhausted every resource I know between the city and county.

This ordinance is giving moms with jobs who are not on drugs two options: risk jail and traumatize their kids by getting them taken away or rely on individuals to use their resources to support them.

I am also concerned about a motel being a worse situation. I would like you all to consider using your funds, pooling them together to get this mother and child an adequate hotel or help me help them from my own home with funds for utilities and supplies. 

This is just one of the many vulnerable women who have been on my doorstep with nowhere else to turn after this ordinance has passed. I need you to make this right, even if it is just for this one woman and her child. Please call me at any time, day or night, and help your community by mitigating the harm this ordinance has caused. 

Individual citizens experiencing poverty themselves should not be the ones catching people we do not have resources at a county or city level to support.” 

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Contribution, May 2024

Introducing the Founder of Thornfield Coffee

Here's a powerful message from the founder of locally based and started Thornfield Coffee who has had an incredible comeback journey:

"I am a person in recovery. My name is Alex. I was placed in a psychiatric unit at the age of 13 when I came out as gay my parents took me to the pediatrician.

The Doctor was religious, I was diagnosed manic depressive. I was being abused at home physically, mentally and eventually sexually. I was given benzodiazepines at this age. I was numbed. I became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Today at the age of 33 I have eight months sober from alcohol, pot, and pharmaceutical and three years from IV drug use.

I love Reno. I first came here in 2022 with a friend and it felt like home. I had been longing for a place to call home. So I moved here. The recovery support here is phenomenal but I do see we have wait times and gaps for mental health and substance use treatment.

I need your help. I’m currently an addiction counselor and working on my MS in mental health counseling. I created a coffee brand called Thornfield Coffee ( Our
coffee comes from Colombia and is roasted here locally at Hub coffee roasters) to raise funds to better our access to mental health.

10% of profits are donated towards mental health initiatives, programs and organizations.
Coffee with a cause. Im using this to raise funds to open a local cafe here in Reno called Thornfield Café. We will have FREE support groups to help the community with mental health, events and community support. If you could simply give me a shout out to support www.thornfieldcoffee.com then maybe I can sell enough coffee to your fan base to raise the funds needed to open the cafe. I would really appreciate your help.”

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, May 2024

The Quaint Windows and Doors of Midtown Reno

When going to Midtown, many local photographers or visitors focus on its many, multi colored murals. For a change Kiana Freeman wanted to take a closer look at its quaint doors and windows.  

Here are some of her photos and essay:

“Midtown is typically known for its vivid murals, cozy local businesses, and animated signs and people; but if you look closely, some of Midtown's most unique charm is hidden in its windowsills and doorways. 

Many of the doors and windows in this neighborhood also have vibrant colors and fascinating details. 

Some doors here have been painted and framed with color, while some are illustrated with swirled lines and art deco. 

Some windows are crowned with moulding, and on the inside decorated with neon signs, vases of flowers, and printed decals. 

The shapes of the windows vary, often diverging from the regular square shape.The abstract arrangements of glass can make for interesting lines and framing of interior objects. 

Many of the quaint doors and windows can be found on the neighborhood’s more rustic buildings, often houses and stores made of brick brought to life by their glass and wooden details. 

No doors and windows were alike on my photographic journey, all ranging in size, color, and feature, each one artistically designed. The architecture and creativity in each corner makes Midtown a place for creative expression to live and flourish freely. “

Photos and writing by Kiana Freeman 

Let's Stop Just Complaining About Traffic and Make Reno More Bus, Bike and Pedestrian Friendly

The conversation cannot stop at “Ugh, this traffic!”

Reno’s midtown and downtown areas are equipped with access to public transportation and bike lanes, but Reno is still mainly a devoted car culture. Additionally, outside of the inner city, Reno’s surrounding areas are still riddled with an inefficient car culture, as access to public transit is sparse.

One glaring problem is the lack of bus service. Most stops at Virginia St. are scheduled as 30 minute increments of wait times during weekdays. The Sparks Marina/ Legends / NNMC RTC route varies from 20-30 minute wait times to hour-long waits. The potential of missing a bus can become catastrophic if making it to someone’s destination on time is important.

With a car, someone’s ability to leave directly from their home directly to their destination can be appealing and give someone a sense of freedom. However, bumper-to-bumper traffic during busier and busier local times of commute may feel less freeing.

At 5 p.m. every weekday, main roads are densely funneled into. Lines of halted cars stretch off into the distance. 

Many Sparks-to-Reno commuters rely on Sparks Blvd. and Vista Blvd., where the highway and other roads funnel into, creating more stagnant traffic that completely fills these roads.

Deeper into the desert of Sparks are the Tesla Gigafactory and Panasonic Energy of North America, where employees are shuttled to by the companies. These companies have realized they need to transport their workers to their factories and offices. 

However, the rest of the greater Reno area’s workforce members mainly rely on themselves to get to work. 

Reno needs its workforce, but many of its workers are forced to sacrifice hours of their day commuting. If Reno could develop more of a bus, biking, micromobility and walking culture, these roads could be more clear, and transportation would not take up such a significant portion of Renoites’ time. 

Reno’s development leaning further into its car culture is a dead end. Reno should instead focus on developing a system of transportation that serves its people.

Citizen’s Forum Op-Ed by Kade Collins

Having a Fun Day in northern Nevada for Under $25

If you enjoy hot springs, fish tacos, and keeping active, this is for you. Today we’re going to spend a day curated by Malia Ascuaga in the Reno-Tahoe area, all under $25.

Wondering why $25? Instead of using that amount for a single activity, why not stretch it to cover your entire day, starting from the moment you wake up until you wind down in the evening?

Yoga Pod, situated at the Summit Sierra mall in south Reno between Starbucks and DeVons Jewelers, is a local studio providing both heated and non-heated yoga, restorative/meditative classes, fitness classes, and mat pilates. The studio takes pride in fostering a friendly community and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness.

Let’s Start Your Day: Yoga

Whether you’re an experienced yogi or completely new to the practice, head to Yoga Pod at the Summit Sierra to start your day off with movement.

The studio offers a free week of yoga and an additional class for all newcomers.

Several morning classes are available to chose from. Starting as early as 5:45 A.M., there’s a Bikram-style class, PodHOT, and at 8:00 A.M., there’s HotVinFusion. Both classes are heated.

If you’re not a fan of heated yoga, consider trying the 9:30 podFLOW 1 or PodGentle classes — both excellent alternatives.

Regardless of your starting level, each class is suitable for you as long as you acknowledge your own practice.

To schedule your free class follow this link to Yoga Pod’s website or give them a call at (775) 420–4363.

Originally founded in Truckee, CA in 2014, the Midtown Coffeebar location is the first of three locations in Reno. Taking inspiration from Italian coffeebar culture and hospitality, they believe in making people feel good. Image from tahoe.com.

Next: Grab a Drink and Take a Walk

Drop by any of Coffee Bar Reno’s three locations: MidTown, McCarran, or the Roastery, and treat yourself to a latte or your choice of specialty drink.

Keep in mind that each drink ranges from $4.00 to $6.50, while working with our $25 budget for the day.

However, on days when budget constraints aren’t an issue, Coffeebar’s menu is filled with must-try bites. I highly recommend trying their divine lemon bars.

After grabbing your drink, you might consider taking an optional walk if you’re up for it.

If you chose the MidTown location on Mt. Rose Street, stroll around the charming surrounding neighborhood of Old Southwest Reno or bring your dog along to Plumas Park.

If you opted for the McCarran Coffeebar, explore the Caughlin Ranch Trails or the Steamboat Ditch Trail. For those who chose the Roastery location, venture into MidTown Reno.

Next in Line: Thrifting

Head down to the Goodwill Bargain Bins, where clothing that didn’t quite make it to the racks in the store are waiting to be discovered.

These bins can be a gold mine for vintage clothing and unique finds, you never know what hidden gems you might come across.

Everything is weighed by the pound here (excluding books and furniture) and is priced at $1.50 per lb. Sometimes you’ll leave with the jackpot or nothing at all, but today, let’s keep our spending under $10, which is doable considering the budget-friendly pricing by the pound.

The exterior of Mariscos El BarCo resembles a pirate ship in Sparks, Nevada.

Getting Hungry? Let’s Grab Lunch.

Ever dined aboard a pirate ship for lunch? Well, today’s your lucky day as we’re setting sail for Mariscos El BarCo, a Mexican seafood restaurant housed in a building shaped like a pirate ship in Sparks.

My go-to choices here are the fish or shrimp tacos, each priced at $3.00. I usually go for two-three tacos and it fills you up.

The entire menu features fresh offerings, so you may want to explore other options on another visit. But for the sake of today, I highly recommend the tacos. They never disappoint.

Here is my go-to order: 2 shrimp and 1 fish taco or vice versa. Photo by Malia Ascuaga.

To Finish: Sunset Soak at Farad Soaking Pool (Mystic Hot Springs)

Just 10 minutes away from Verdi, Nevada, we’re venturing out of state for this one. A quick 20-minute drive outside of Reno on your way up to Truckee, this secret hot spring is one I can’t gatekeep.

To reach the destination, take I-80 and exit at Farad or use the coordinates “Truckee River Wildlife Area” to identify the closest exit. Upon taking the sharp exit, you’ll encounter a dirt parking lot with a trail accessible behind the gate. The trail leads you by a hydroelectric plant, and in just a short 7-minute walk, you’ll arrive at a spring covered with a plastic tarp.

For more directions with pictures follow this link to Hot Springers. Despite its small size, the spring is consistently well-maintained and usually not crowded. The water maintains a comfortably warm temperature, allowing for extended soaking periods.

As the sun sets, you can enjoy watching stars overhead and the passing trains along the Truckee River.

Nestled just beneath I-80, Farad Hot Springs is a compact, well-maintained, underdeveloped tub with a view of the Truckee River. Visitors ensure the pool stays pristine, thanks to the protective plastic tarp.

Today’s Final Receipt:

To recap, today we:

• Practiced yoga

• Grabbed coffee

• Went for a walk

• Thrifted

• Got tacos

• Soaked in a hot spring

For all of that, we hypothetically spent:

• Yoga: $0.00

• Coffee: $5.25

• Walk: $0.00

• Thrift: $7.00

• Tacos: $9.00

• Hot springs: $0.00

Total: $21.25

That’s impressive! On today’s adventure in Reno, we stuck within our budget of $25 and finished just a few dollars short. Thanks for following along.

Citizen’s Forum story by Malia Ascuaga

How to keep your morning glory chaos maintained in your backyard

Morning glories are an annual here, coming back strong every year, and in some cases getting out of control, so here are a few tips to get them in your yard this year just the way you want them.

Morning glories are a hardy ornamental vine that can survive Reno-Sparks’ dry and wide temperature-ranging climate.

They are often confused for the Creeping Jenny, another hardy vine that is infamous for taking over gardens. They both can have cup-like blooms, but morning glories typically have broader foliage. Creeping Jennys have leaves which are smaller and have a more circular shape.

The desirability of morning glories is up to the gardener. They are known for overtaking gardens, spreading out as ground cover and crawling vines. A gardener’s decision in whether or not they want to allow the plant to have the spotlight (or sunlight) it so passionately desires.

Water and Soil Conditions

Although they can survive harsh conditions, they thrive in moist soil. When gardeners are attending to their high-maintenance plants like their roses, they may also be fueling their morning glories, as they are less finicky.

The only time that they desperately need moist soil is when they are seeds before they germinate.

This also holds true when applying fertilizer. Adding fertilizer to your roses this Spring amay benefit them significantly, but it may also give your morning glory stragglers the boost they need to cover your entire backyard.

Pull Immediately!

If you do not want your entire garden entangled in the vine, pulling it before it develops hard-gripping roots into the soil is in your best interest. Once the roots of the vine develop, it may prove difficult to try pulling them with sheer strength.

What may work in a gardener’s favor is a spade. Using the spade to chop through the roots and disconnecting them will make it easier to yank them from the ground. This will also help in slowing the rate of grow-back.

If a gardener is content with their morning glories’ rate of spread, but still wants to keep the coverage’s shape contained, a simple pair of pruners should do the trick. However, the pruning may require frequency and consistency.

If consistent pruning sounds draining, cutting the plant back 3–4 inches than the preferred length will help space out pruning days.

Due to their adaptable behavior, pruning morning glories benefit their aesthetic appeal more than their overall health.

Go Wild!

If you are not afraid of a wild, viny garden, feel free to let the glory take over. The vines are an excellent way to decorate the blank surfaces of fences and raised beds.

If you do let the vines spread, be careful letting them near your precious plants. They can climb your tall stocking plants like your tomatoes and sunflowers. For the most part, this is harmless to the plants, but this can be overwhelming when trying to upkeep the plant that’s being climbed on.

Citizen’s Forum gardening tips by Kade Collins

Locals Bonding Through the Cosmic Encounter Board Game

Cosmic Encounter, an over 40-year-old board game, pins up to eight people against each other. Surprisingly, this competition-oriented game has created a community of companionship. 

The objective of the game is to conquer five of your opponents’ planets, and keep the five planets that you have as your alien character. 

Jaccob Masterson taking pieces out of Cosmic Encounter box.

Recently, I harassed my friends enough to convince them to play the game with me again. We started at around 9:00 p.m. and finished at around half past midnight.

I was first introduced to the game in middle school by a group of friends. We would all meet at the same friend’s house and play Cosmic Encounter along with other board games from late evening to early morning. It became a method of bonding.

“I enjoy it, because there’s a lot of strategy and deception involved,” Luke Hill says.

Luke is a dear friend of mine who I was introduced to the game with. He describes the typical environment of a Cosmic Encounter game as “hostile, toxic, and generally an unwelcoming place to be.” 

Despite this description, he enjoys the game, because he enjoys lying to his friends. Cosmic Encounter is an outlet for players to blow off steam among friends.

Jacob Masterson, another close friend of mine who frequently plays the game, says he enjoys how the game unites the players through the common objective of obtaining five planets. He also points to the game’s high variability as a factor of its appeal. 

The game can change every time it is played. At the beginning of every game, players choose from two randomly selected characters with special abilities. This random chance changes what is possible to happen in the game about every time. This keeps each play-through of Cosmic Encounter unique and interesting.

“This game is just fun. It’s even fun when you’re losing,” Jacob says.

For the particular friend group that Luke, Jacob, and I were a part of, there would be spans of months in which we did not see each other. Often when we did, we were playing this game, and we were just as close as the last time we saw each other. 

The deceit, alliance, and betrayal that Cosmic Encounter incites among players develops a sense of intimacy.

Reporting by Kade Collins shared with Our Town Reno

Hoping for Pie, Getting Cigarette Smoke and Meeting Regulars at the Gold Dust West Casino

Driving around Reno I would always see these signs that said “Free Pie”, “Free Pie…  Reinvented!”

So, one cold Thursday afternoon when I had nothing better to do, I decided I’d go to the Gold Dust West and get myself some free pie and play a few bucks to kill some time. 

The thought of the free pie vanished when I walked in, as I was met with that familiar smell. My nose was filled with that classic casino scent, an overwhelming linger of a cheap air freshener, mixed with fresh cigarette smoke. 

As someone who grew up in Las Vegas and had parents who would go out to bingo a few nights a week and drop me off at the casino’s daycare type center, this smell brought on a strong feeling of nostalgia. 

Reno is known for quite a few things, and gambling is one of them. If you take a glance across the town, you’ll see at least five large casino resorts standing out. You’ve got the Nugget, GSR, Atlantis, Peppermill, and the Row which consists of three casinos. But, scattered around town are lots of smaller, more local casinos with a very loyal customer base. 

There’s the Cal-Neva downtown, a college favorite. Siri’s casino, also downtown, is another college favorite because of their $5 daiquiri special. We can’t forget Boomtown, or Rail City, and the year-old Legends Bay in Sparks. Reno’s casinos scream “Old Vegas”.  Among all of these “smaller” casinos, there’s one that has always stood out to me: the Gold Dust West. 

Not quite downtown, the Gold Dust sits between W Fourth and W Fifth street, right off of Keystone Ave. The Jacobs Entertainment owned casino is small but mighty. There are three full-service bars, a plethora of new and old machines, a teensy bingo hall, and a restaurant. Although this casino doesn’t have tables, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for many of their loyal customers. 

When you really think about it, casinos are a very interesting concept, and they pretty much thrive off of three addictions: alcoholism, gambling, and smoking… And the fact that older folks will come almost every night and gamble their Social Security checks away. 

Sure, you may be able to go to a sports bar and drink your beer while watching football and playing video poker, but if you want to indulge in a cigarette you have to step outside. Reno is definitely not known for its balmy evening winter weather where you would want to step outside and smoke a cigarette. 

A casino is one of the few places in America where you can actually smoke inside. This is one reason why casinos are so appealing to those who smoke cigarettes and also enjoy drinking and gambling. 

If you live in Reno and haven’t yet been to the Gold Dust, and pay attention to billboards while driving around, it’s possible you have heard of this place. Scattered around town, there are a few billboards that read, “Free Pie.. Reinvented!”

Now I know what you are thinking, if I walk into this casino I’ll just get free pie? Let’s go! That’s what I thought, but it isn’t quite the case. 

You have to eat at The Grille inside and get a qualifying meal to get this free pie. But it isn’t your traditional slice of pie, it’s more like a parfait, if you will. I learned this the hard way when I went to the Gold Dust for the first time. 

After finding parking, inside, no matter which direction I looked, I could always see a bar, which speaks to how small this casino really is. 

I decided it would be smart to obtain a player's card, so I could start racking up rewards  and be eligible to earn free play or enter in drawings if I ever decided to come back. 

It was a quick process and took less than five minutes. This was when I learned that if you earn enough points through playing on the same day you sign up for the player’s card, you’ll get a coupon for half off a prime rib dinner at The Grille.

I walked around and explored a bit after I got my player’s card, and found some pretty cool things. There is a cigarette vending machine where you can buy a single pack of cigarettes for $11, a sports betting area, and I even caught some of a bingo game inside the casino’s bingo hall. Periodically, someone would come over the PA system to announce a giveaway of free play.  

After deciding I had enough looking around and was ready to waste the $10 I brought away, I took a seat at one of the bars in between two gentlemen, one older and one younger, who both happened to be wearing Raiders jerseys.

A few minutes later, the bartender came up to me and asked me what I wanted to drink, so I opted for a Diet Coke. The bar I was at was nearly full, and the demographic of people sitting there was mostly older people, and they were all chatting with their seat mates, which led me to assume that these people probably didn’t just meet each other and probably frequent this place regularly. 

I inserted my bill into the machine, and sat there a bit puzzled trying to figure out what game I wanted to play. I didn’t have many options, but video poker sounded the most appealing to me. 

“First time?’ the man next to me asked with a smile. “Need some help?”

I told him that I had played video poker on my phone a few times before but wasn’t sure where to start. He told me his name was Paul, and then proceeded to tell me that he is a self proclaimed video poker expert, and in the past week had won over 10k playing just video poker. So naturally, I listened to what he had to say. 

Before I knew it, my $10 had turned into $20 with Paul helping guide me through the ins and outs of video poker. Apparently the whole time Paul was helping me out, the younger guy to my left had been paying attention to what was going on and finally chimed in. 

“This guy really knows what he’s doing,” he laughed. “Had I sat down next to him my first time playing, maybe I wouldn’t be trying to make up for it now,” he added. 

So now Paul was not only showing me what hands to keep, he was showing the other guy next to me, Jason, what to do too. 

In my head, something clicked and I think I realized just why people like coming here so much. I hadn’t yet interacted with many people, but the two I had talked to were friendly and outgoing. Maybe it was the couple beers both of them had indulged in, or maybe that is just the casino culture here. 

Eventually, I asked Paul why he chose the Gold Dust over all of the places he could gamble in Reno, and his answer was pretty simple. He lives close by, like walking distance close, and over the years he’s been coming here, he said he’s made some great friends spending Thursday nights and Sundays watching football. He told me that he would occasionally go to other casinos but he never had the same luck anywhere else. 

I asked Jason the same thing, and his answer made me laugh: free pie. The same thing that drew me to this place drew him too. He told me that he thought he was just going to walk in here and sit down at a machine and the cocktail waitress would walk up and ask him what he wanted to drink, and what flavor pie he wanted. He said he was glad that definitely wasn’t the case, or he would be in here a lot more frequently than he already is. 

My $10 lasted me a long time, sipping my Diet Coke, chatting with Paul and Jason, and tapping the buttons on the video poker screen. Eventually, the $10 that turned into $20 had sadly dwindled down to a measly $4.70. I didn’t come here with the intention of hitting a jackpot, but decided it might be worth it to throw what I had left into the funniest looking slot machine I could find. So I went exploring again. 

After walking around the tiny casino for what felt like 10 minutes, I found one called, “Invaders Attack From The Planet Moolah.”

I sat next to an older woman who had her players card attached to a lanyard and inserted into the machine as she was clicking away at Texas Tea while also smoking a cigarette. I put my players card in, and inserted my cashout voucher. 

While this machine was pretty funny, it wasn’t getting me anywhere. I decided to strike up a conversation with the lady next to me by telling her her lanyard was pretty neat. She told me that if she didn’t have her card attached to the lanyard, she would lose it, and that she comes here too often to have to go get a new card each time she visits. 

She pulled out another cigarette and offered me one, which I declined. She was a sweet older lady, and it seemed like she was enjoying my company. She told me about her grandkids, and how she can’t wait until they are old enough to come gamble with her. She told me her name was Betty, and that she has been coming to the Gold Dust every day for the past seven years. 

In my head, I thought that was pretty incredible, so I asked her why she comes here and doesn’t go somewhere else. Betty told me that she is retired, and doesn’t have much else to do so this keeps her busy. 

She said that she usually meets up with her friends here everyday and that they were somewhere in the casino playing as well. She said that the food at The Grille is always yummy and the servers always know her order. She added the cocktail waitresses just bring her a beer and she doesn’t even have to ask. 

Betty said that going to the Gold Dust gave her a reason to get out of the house and talk to people which is something that she wouldn’t do just sitting at home. After a nice conversation with Betty, and no more credits in the machine, I decided it was time to head out. I told Betty it was nice to meet her, and that I hoped I’d see her again. 

As I got up and walked out to my car, the scent of the Gold Dust lingered on my clothes. I sat for a moment before I drove off and realized just why people love to come to this place. It’s small, the people are friendly, and after you frequent it enough, everyone seems to remember your name. Although it’s always a plus to walk out with more than you walked in with, it’s about having a good time, checking out of life for a bit, and meeting new people or old acquaintances. 

My first experience at the Gold Dust was a good one, but it definitely won’t be my last because I’ll be back. And maybe next time, I’ll get some pie. 

Our Town Reno reporting by an anonymous UNR college student 

Entering the Ring of Reno's Boxing History

Long before the incorporation of the city of Las Vegas, in the early 1900s, the Biggest Little City held the distinction of the World's Fight Capital. 

On July 4, 1910, Reno made headlines after hosting a historic bout called “The Fight of the Century,” between John Arthur Jack Johnson known as the “Galveston Giant” who retained his heavyweight title against James J. ‘Jim’ Jeffries “The Great White Hope.” 

Years later, Reno native and Nevada boxing icon Pat Schellin takes it upon himself to keep Reno’s rich history in boxing alive, one young competitor at a time. 

“I’ve had a lot of students walk through those doors. Some become champions, some don’t even end up boxing. But I make sure they always leave with an appreciation of just what this town did for the sport in its early years,” Schellin, the assistant head coach of the University of Nevada’s boxing team says.

“Reno really was the only place for a sport like boxing to blossom. At the time Vegas was just an itty-bitty town, and it was Northern Nevada that saw the first of the mega-fights that we see now [in boxing],” he explains.  

Boxing coach Pat Schellin poses with Azar at the Collegiate Boxing National Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Schellin is referencing a time when Nevada was one of the few states to have lenient regulations on combat sports, and Reno was the first to begin hosting large scale fights that would generate unforeseen interest in a rough and tough sport like boxing. 

Schellin is always eager to bestow boxing knowledge, but not always at the most ideal of times. Once I recall being in a heated sparring session at the gym and he abruptly had a recollection, and stopped the sparring mid-round.

“You remind me a lot of Larry Holmes, you know that?” Schellin announced. He went on to tell a very interesting story of a time when Holmes, the heavyweight champion in the late 1970s until the mid 80s, was in town and needed to use his gym. 

He told of all of the quirky training methods that Holmes let him in on, and after what seemed like 20 minutes the sparring resumed. My sweat was gone, I had to get warmed up again, but I left that day with unique boxing knowledge that most others do not have.

What exactly did Holmes say? The heavyweight champion of the world told Pat about how when he was young, he would chase chickens for long stretches of time to build up agility and endurance. Another, more dangerous strategy, was that he would attach nails to the bottom of a wood plank and practice his head movement underneath. Come up too early, and you’d need stitches. Fighters really were of a different breed back then.

The collegiate boxing gym we train in on 4th street  is a part of Reno’s history in pugilism.

I am honored to have been able to compete for UNR and become a part of that story. I was able to place second at the national tournament in 2023, after going undefeated in nine fights that season. I won the western regional championship, stopping every fighter I fought against. I also was privileged to go to the Arthur Mercante Invitationals at the New York Athletic Club in NYC, and beat the previous year's national champion at my weight. I am coming off of a serious hip injury, but am hoping to compete again at the regional tournament in March of 2024.

When I enter Schellin’s gym I feel as if I am walking into a museum, as the walls are covered with memorabilia from the legendary fights and fighters that have passed through. Boxing’s history becomes more illustrious the farther you go back, and to be enveloped in that history is truly an experience  I will forever be grateful for.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum contribution by Joseph Azar