Why I Love Sticker Day at a Local Dutch Bros

What is your go to local promotion?

For Auna VillaReeves, it’s the first Wednesday of every month when Dutch Bros has its Sticker Day.

Read why below:

“I look forward to each sticker day and there is almost nothing that would stop me from going to Dutch Bros just to get one. I will plan my whole day around getting that sticker. I don’t even put the stickers on anything. I just love collecting them. I love all of the different designs that they come up with and I think that they are always cute. It also gives me a great excuse to spend money on getting a drink as well.

With every drink ordered, you receive one sticker to go with it as long as supplies last and the designs of the stickers are always different. Getting these stickers is one of my favorite things to do and no matter what I have going on that day, I make sure to take the time to go to Dutch Bros and get a sticker. 

On November 6, 2024, there were a numerous amount of people waiting in line to get not just a drink, but a sticker as well. A lot of them are like me and simply like to collect each sticker, but other people love to stick them to things like their water bottles, laptops, and cars.

Dutch Bros first opened in Oregon in 1992 and in 2000 the first franchise opened and began to spread to many locations across the country. They make many different drinks including freezes, smoothies, tea, and rebels along with regular coffee and there truly is something there for everyone.

In my opinion, the best drink to get is an iced rebel. It gives me that boost of caffeine I need and they have so many different flavors to pick from that I don’t think you can go wrong with ordering one. I go to Dutch Bros at least once a week as it is for one of these drinks. Getting a sticker at the beginning of each month is just a much appreciated bonus that never fails to improve my mood.

I look forward to those stickers and have at least thirty of them at this point as I’ve been collecting them for a while now and I will continue to do so for as long as Dutch Bros hands them out. I consider it to be a hobby of mine at this point and I will even drag friends with me to get those stickers and they look forward to it just as much as I do.

They also have their own charities that they donate money to. These charities include Dutch Luv, Drink One for Dane, and Buck for Kids. They are dedicated to helping others and personally, that is a corporation I am happy and proud to support.

Dutch will often have surprise sticker days each month as well, especially around the holidays. They don’t typically announce these stickers until the day they hand them out but I make sure to adjust my day so that I can get those stickers as well.”

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum Contribution, Dec. 4, 2024

A Final Fundraising Push for Our Town Reno on Giving Tuesday

Here, we like to break news when we can, as we believe it's important to bring awareness where you get your information.

That's why we put effort in our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Reddit and BlueSky channels.

In that spirit it’s #givingtuesday tmrw so in case you are feeling generous for our hyperlocal, #humansofreno promotional, and reader based alert news initiative, we wanted to let you know of our tax deductible campaign where we have two days left via mightycause.com/story/ourtownreno in our hopes of reaching our $2,000 fundraising goal.

You can also find the link via the Donate page of the ourtownreno website.

Money raised goes towards our website’s upkeep and design, paying for the production and printing of our yearly zine, sending stipends to volunteer designers and street reporters and if we get enough, contracting a few local musicians to score our in progress documentary film work about local food justice programs.

You can also contribute via the ourtownreno Venmo. Even just $10 helps!

If it's not your thing to donate to such a project, we totally get it, as we know money is tight.

Thank you for all your follows, comments, photos, videos and alerts.

Our Town Reno, Dec. 2, 2024

An Evolving Relationship: Discovering Flaws while Still Being Thankful for Reno

Reno, Nevada, has always been a constant in my life. I remember Reno feeling so big as a child. I would look out into the city from the car window on I-580 and be shocked by its size. In all fairness, it was far bigger than my hometown of Manteca, California.

The casinos of GSR and Atlantis standing lonesome against the sky enthralled me. I even remember Downtown Reno feeling massive compared to any other place I had experienced. It felt like there was such a variety of things to do and places to eat in the city.

My grandparents moved to Susanville, California, in the early 2000s. I’ve always had a close relationship with them, always visiting them multiple times a year. Living in Central California for most of my life meant we’d cross through Reno to make it to Susanville.

Seeing the city after swaths of green and never-ending winding mountain roads, was like finding an oasis in the desert.

Stopping in Reno always felt like the main event of that long car ride. Whether that was grabbing food at my family’s favorite restaurant in town, El Paisano, or playing in the GSR arcade while my parents gambled. Reno felt so different and interesting compared to anywhere else I had experienced as a kid.

I think I’ve eaten at El Paisano more than any other restaurant in my life, specifically their location near Costco. My family would often stop here before we drove to Susanville. My Susanville family often eats here when they come to Reno for groceries.

Even though I was staying in Susanville once I arrived at my grandparents, taking the hour and ten-minute drive to Reno with them felt so exciting. Going into Reno to get groceries at Costco or Sam’s Club with my grandparents was always a highlight of my stay there. Perhaps it was the contrast between the small-town American values of my grandparents’ Northern California country life versus The Biggest Little City.

As a child, that title Reno holds proudly baffled me. I would think back then, “How could this place be little? It feels so much bigger than anywhere else I’ve seen.” My aunt would then explain that Reno was no larger than many of the smaller cities back home. I never fully understood what she was saying and Reno still felt larger than life.

It’s funny how my perception of Reno somehow stayed the same, even as I grew older and visited more places. While I started to understand Reno’s small population size in such a secluded area, the city didn’t stop fascinating me. There was something special about Reno.

When I moved here in August of 2022, I think that’s when I truly started to understand Reno as a city. I realized you could get to most places in the city within a 15-minute drive. I would buy groceries at Winco or one of the countless Walmarts. I would feel closer to my grandparents than ever by only being a short hour and 10-minute drive from them.

Little by little, with each mundane activity, I would feel closer to the city through its simplicity. Most importantly, I slowly discovered the community Reno has.

Each month I lived here, it slowly felt like everyone knew everyone. Small business and restaurant owners carried a sense of pride in their establishment being here. It almost felt like people I spoke to who lived here, especially for a long time, truly loved living here. They were genuinely happy to be in Reno.

That strong sense of community Reno shares is still what I admire most about this city. I’m grateful I’ve been able to experience a sliver of that, even as a California college transplant.

The buffet at Atlantis was one of my last dining-out meals before the Covid-19 lockdowns. I remember eating there with my grandparents just days before the world stopped. It was also one of the first meals at a restaurant after Covid-19 restrictions loosened up.

During that time of slowly falling in love with Reno, a part of me also began to see its flaws. While Reno’s size was incredibly convenient for getting around and created a small-knit community, it also created many downfalls. There was a lack of diversity I started to miss, especially coming from the melting pot of California. I started to miss the many ethnic food offerings I simply couldn’t find in Reno, especially certain Asian foods. This flaw is made clear by looking at the city’s racial demographics.

The apparent lack of things to do in the city began to take its toll on me. In the first few months, it felt like I had already done every activity any travel website or person recommended. The beauty and outdoor appeal of Reno are great, but the main critique I’ve always felt is that it feels so singular. The argument could be made that Reno is only designed for outdoor lovers but in my opinion, cities should have something available for everyone. Skiing or snowboarding nearby seemed to be everyone’s favorite pastime but I always thought, “If I’m not a snow sports person, what is there to do here?”

My frustrations with Reno came to a head when I started visiting Las Vegas because of a change to long distance in a personal romantic relationship. Reno and Vegas couldn’t feel more distant from each other, literally and figuratively. For me, Reno is defined by its harsh, cold, and bitter winters. On the other hand, Vegas is defined by its dry, hot, and extreme summers. The two most populous Nevada cities could not feel more different from each other.

I spent a lot of winter breaks and three-day weekends at GSR growing up. My siblings and I would bowl and play at the arcade while my parents gambled.

I had been to Vegas a few times as a kid but only experienced it from the tourist’s perspective, spending our family vacations mostly on The Strip. I’d say I hadn’t truly experienced Las Vegas as a city until I started visiting it frequently in January.

The more and more I experienced Las Vegas, it answered all my concerns about Reno. The size of Vegas compared to Reno was staggering, but it still felt calmer and less congested compared to California cities. The city offered so much more.

The sheer amount of different and fantastic Asian food offerings in Vegas astounded me. Vegas’s Chinatown made me wish Reno had something even remotely similar. It felt like there were endless things to do in Vegas. While Vegas also offered its own version of outdoor appeal, it didn’t define the city and seemed like anyone could live there.

With my love for Vegas growing, there was still a warmth I felt each time I saw The Row from my uncomfortable Spirit Airlines seat. It sounds incredibly cheesy, but Reno still felt like home, no matter how much room I saw for improvements in the city.

It’s been hard to gather my thoughts and feelings about Reno as I plan on graduating next semester and moving to Vegas after. As I near the end of my time here, Reno will always hold a special place in my heart.

I’m glad Reno’s sense of community bleeds into the rest of the state. There are a lot of preconceived notions about Nevada; I don’t think people mention or realize the community we share here enough. We’re a small but proud state. I’m fortunate that spirit will still be waiting for me in Vegas.

For all of Reno’s pitfalls, I think its uniqueness and community are why people love it here. I’m thankful I’ve been able to experience that sense of belonging, and I’ll deeply miss it when I leave.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum by Elijah E Dulay

A Slackliner's Thankfulness for Reno

In this Citizen’s Forum entry, Sara Peck, @saradub42 on Instagram, a slackliner and skier. shares her love for outdoor adventures just waiting for us all around us in northern Nevada.  

“Many think of Reno as an easy place for a late night, the casinos and seemingly endless dive bars contribute to giving Reno a 24 hour town reputation, a place of indulgence. In the juxtaposition of the casino lights with the elegant mountain peaks, I like to think of them as two very different backdrops to indulge- to be at either a casino floor or a mountain peak is a sign of great privilege- one that many a Renoite has grown to love.  Diversity and beauty are one of the many reasons I love Reno. This story will talk about what it is like to indulge in the mountains, a certain outdoor hedonism so to speak, and why Reno is one of the best places in the world to sample all the Sierra has to offer.

The start time is 4:00 a.m., but we have a lot of ground to cover. We leave Reno before the sun is up, watching the sun start to illuminate the sky as we switch from pavement to dirt roads. The Sierra air is crisp for an October morning, but summer is still holding on and we plan for a warm afternoon. After triple checking our maps to ensure that the left turn really is in fact, a left turn, we finally make it to the parking area.

By 7:00 a.m., we start going down the switchbacks that seem to almost tip us off the mountain in the first mile. We admire the endless manzanita and looming sugar pines that accompany us on our journey. After an hour of hiking that our knees are certainly feeling, we make it down to the more technical part of the trail. It is washed out, and we must use the ropes left there to lower ourselves down the trail- with 40 pound hiking packs on. After some hesitation, maybe it is the early morning jitters, we make it down the wash out- arms pumped but happy to be over the rope section.

The excitement starts to grow as the sun hits the tops of the pines and we can start to hear the river and its raging waterfall below. We pick up the pace as summit fever starts to hit (maybe it is canyon fever now that we are 2000 feet below the parking spot?).  As we turn the last bend in the trail, we see it. There it is. The most pristine turquoise water flows over and cascades into a series of 60-100 foot waterfalls. A natural wonder. A gift from god. A place to test your limits. It means many things to different people but doesn’t lose its glory in the translation.  

We get out our slackline gear, promptly find placements for the anchors, and string up a short wiggly bridge. This is our indulgence. With nervous excitement, I stand up, over the freezing cold Sierra snowmelt and remind myself that this is pure indulgence, a luxury granted largely because of the accessibility and beauty of Reno, NV.”

Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Sara Peck

Organizers of Balloon Race Say Event Under Threat Due to Park's New Master Plan

Organizers of the 43-year running early September Great Reno Balloon Race are expressing concerns on a new Washoe County Master Plan for Rancho San Rafael Regional Park "which overlooks the needs of the GRBR event and its ability to safely host the annual event.”

A change.org petition which can be found with the title Petition to Protect The Great Reno Balloon Race already has over 2,000 signatures.

In a message forwarded to Our Town Reno, a statement on the @renoballoon Instagram page indicates that “despite GRBR’s repeated attempts to have its concerns addressed during the planning process, we are concerned our needs have not been adequately addressed. Reno has already lost iconic events like the Reno Air Races in recent years and, without public input, we might risk losing yet another hallmark event that boosts our local economy and brings families together for one of the few remaining free, community-centered celebrations. Please take a moment to review our statement and take some time to share your thoughts with the Washoe County Commissioners.”

According to the petition, the Master Plan would reduce public access and event space, would fail to maintain safe and adequate parking, and would lead to increased safety risks for pilots.

It concludes: “Despite GRBR’s repeated attempts to have its concerns addressed during the WC’s planning process, GRBR’s needs have not been adequately addressed. Currently, there is no alternative location for the GRBR event in Washoe County that replicates San Rafael Park’s unique conditions for a free hot air balloon event.”

Our Town Reno reporting, November 2024

Local Runner: "Beautiful Aesthetics But a Bad Overall Design of The Truckee River Trail"

Along the banks of the Truckee River sits the Truckee River Trail, which is a part of the Tahoe Pyramid Trail that starts from Lake Tahoe and ends at Pyramid Lake. The trail is full of runners, as it’s extremely helpful in preparing for both 5k races and longer events such as half marathons, while simultaneously having a great view of the Truckee River. However, several problems with the design of the trail lurk underneath. 

I’m one of the runners along the trail. During my time in college, I’ve taken up running not only as a hobby, but as a stress reliever that allows me to leave behind the hectic life I live on campus. I always run on one section of the trail, which starts at Mayberry Park and ends at the start of downtown Reno. 

Last year, in my sophomore year of college, I would usually get up at around 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning and drive over to the route. I would put on my On Cloud running shoes, holding my phone instead of using a running watch, trying to break my record for amount for miles in one session. I would do this three to four times a week and usually ran upwards of 20-25 miles per week. 

For me, the best aspects of the trail have always been its quietness and view of nature. While there are runners and people walking their pets, the trail still manages to be quiet and allows runners to focus on their training. 

Tthe views of nature may be the most appealing aspect. Hearing the roars of the Truckee Rivers as you’re passing by is one of the best feelings. Complementing the river is the vegetation surrounding it, especially in autumn, as runners are able to observe the red, orange, and yellow trees, which are a staple of Reno this time of year. 

I give lots of credit to these two aspects of the trail. Since I discovered it last year, it’s truly acted as an escape for me, allowing me to temporarily focus on looking at the scenery around me and trying to run for as long as possible. 

Conversely, I’ve had my negative experiences with the trail, especially with the signs. The emergency sign behind Mayberry Park was my first confusing experience. In particular, the sign discourages people from going any further along the trail westward, despite the fact it’s the only way to continue. Therefore, when I first started to run on the trail, I had to turn around after about a minute of running. 

To compound with that, I also believe there’s a lack of sign placements in between the section of the trail between Dorokstar and Crissie Caughlin park. During that section, there’s almost a mile with no signs, leaving runners unsure of where to go. When a sign does show up, there’s only one present at the bike lane, which is on the other side of the road, meaning that there’s no guide for pedestrians walking or runners. This aspect of the trail makes it extremely confusing, as one can easily get lost. 

Discarding the signs, I’ve also had a few problems with the design of the trail, which mainly concerns how unfriendly the trail is for runners. This problem is highlighted on a road next to Crissie Caughlin Park, where runners are directed to. 

Even though runners are directed here, the road is actually meant for cars. There’s also no bike or pedestrian lane, which means that runners have to run on an open road, which runs the risk of a car not paying attention.

This section is my least favorite part of the trail, as it’s not only unfriendly to runners, but there’s very little view of the Truckee River and instead you’re looking at houses. 

A little after this section, there’s another road present within the trail, which is situated in front of the Riverfront Condos. While I like the view present on the road, as it’s located right next to the Truckee River, a bump in the trail makes it easier for runners to suffer injuries if they take a wrong step. 

A bridge at the start of downtown Reno on Arlington Avenue. I always stop running at this section of the trail and turn around back toward Mayberry. 

I always make sure to stop at Arlington Avenue when running on the trail. Personally, I feel unsafe if I run any further. The problem doesn’t just involve downtown Reno, but it more has to do with the problem that I have with most American cities, which is that I don’t feel like they’re designed with pedestrians in mind. 

In particular, I feel like roads are designed with the prioritizing of cars, which makes these same roads more unsafe for pedestrians, hence why I always choose to turn around once I hit downtown Reno, as there’s more traffic in that area. 

If roads in Reno were designed with more thinking for pedestrians, then I most likely would run longer on the trail. I think the section of the trail covering Idlewild Park shows a perfect example of what that could be like. 

Giving pedestrians and runners their own clear places to do activities, with a shield from cars and other traffic is the best way forward and is more safe for both parties.

Despite all of these problems I have with the trail, I’m always going to be grateful for the relief it has granted me and will be running there in the future, albeit cautiously. 

Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Cameron Perkins

Jennifer Flynn, Recently Unhoused and Now a Librarian, Speaking up for Local Libraries

Of the many comments today to help local libraries after WC1 failed in the most recent election cycle, sunsetting the 1994 direct allocation of some property tax revenue, Jennifer Flynn’s stood out.

Flynn, a current library assistant at the downtown library, who was briefly unhoused coming out of the pandemic, living in a vehicle, was one of the commenters asking elected County Commissioners to prioritize the library in their upcoming budget decisions. 

The library already has an existing $12 million budget but previously relied on the extra, no longer automatic, now expiring $4.5 million or so it got for extra staff, its new book budget and its technology needs.

Here below are Flynn’s comments from earlier today:

“My name is Jennifer Flynn, and I'm a librarian at the Downtown Reno Library. When I got out of high school, I was deciding what I wanted to do with my career.

I told myself my number one goal was to help my community. I started with prelaw, realized I'd be a terrible lawyer. Then went to psychology, realized I'd be a terrible psychiatrist, and then landed on English with the intent to either become a teacher or a writer. The pandemic happened in 2020, and I was unable to continue my bachelor's degree. But I knew I still wanted to help people in any way I could.

I had volunteered at libraries when I was a teen when I lived in Virginia, and I … loved literature, so I set my sights on becoming a librarian. But there was so much more to libraries than literature. In 2022, there was a brief period of time where I was unhoused. I had nowhere to go. I had no job.

I was sleeping in my car or surfing on people's couches. And at that time, I still loved libraries, but I hadn't visited any of my local libraries. And if I had known the resources that they had, granted, would I [have] been housed right away? Probably not, but I would have [had] the resources I needed to get somewhere. 

We have community court on Wednesday mornings, that's available. There are lawyers that are there to help people with their disputes. We have the food bank that comes in. They provide food stamps. We have Diane, who is very popular. She hands out free phones for people. 

We have book [a] librarian. You can sit with a librarian for an hour. We can help you with your job applications, your resumes, all that sort of stuff. If I had known about these resources, I might not have been living in my car for a couple of months.

I probably would have found a place or at least the resources to start. And I could have enjoyed even the fun things about the library. We have all sorts of crafts, book clubs. We recently did a teen escape room that was a huge hit. And I would have had a place to be, and I could be there 100% for free.

There are so few spaces nowadays that you can just walk into, and you will not be judged, when you do not have to pay. 

We are here for every single member of our community whether you agree with what library stand for or not. And so I believe in our libraries with [my] heart and soul. Even if I lose my job, even if I'm no longer a librarian, I will continue to stand for what we fight for. Thank you for your time.”

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, Nov. 19, 2024

Toucan Charlie's at the Atlantis Declines Comment on Complaint from Angry Guest with Disability

I am a disabled US Navy veteran and on Veterans day - Nov 11th I attended the free meal honoring veterans at Toucan Charlie’s at the Atlantis. 

I went there with my elderly parents, and specifically my dad who is disabled with severe arthritis of his hip and knee. He walks with a walker or a cane.

Upon arrival, I was not surprised to see a huge line that was wrapping around half way through the restaurant. 

We have attended this restaurant before and previously, to the benefit of my dad, they had a handicapped/ADA dedicated lane to be seated.

This particular day however there was no visible signage showing that.  I patiently went up to one of the cashiers and asked if there was a handicapped lane/entrance, to which she instructed me to ask the gentleman wearing a suit at the entrance. As instructed, I walked back to where she pointed and started looking for anyone wearing a suit who maybe looked like they were working.  

I looked around for a while and realized who the person was (he was wearing a suit but had no employee name tag, everyone else was wearing a name tag). 

I politely told him that I was instructed to see him regarding where the ADA entrance line was.  He was polite at first but was very condescending and replied we don't have a dedicated handicapped line.

I pointed out my dad to him. My dad was standing patiently next to some gaming machines so he could sit down at them, because he can't stand for long.

I pointed out my dad with a cane in his hand and explained that he is handicapped and asked again where the handicapped line was per ADA rules. 

The man started getting very argumentative and condescendingly saying "hey you can go through here" (when we were in an area marked as the “higher tier like diamond status or something")  and sarcastically said that sure you can cut in front of all these people who have been waiting in the long line. 

I picked up on his sarcasm and said do you know what ADA is? He replied yes but the restaurant doesn't have to abide by that.

I did argue with him that how is it possible that the restaurant doesn't have to abide by that when all the ramps in the casino and handicap parking outside are because of ADA rules.

At this point another older lady came up to us asking the same question if there is a handicap line for her husband to be in. I told her in front of the man without a name tag that I was dealing with the same issue with this gentleman.

He proceeded to tell us again that there are other handicap people waiting in the regular line to which both the lady and I started arguing with him telling him how wrong that is and doesn't show like they care.

At this point the lady asked for his supervisor and said that we need to talk to them since the conversation was going nowhere. She was getting very upset at this point and siding with me about the issue. Mind you by this point I already asked him for the same and his name. 

He finally gave us his name only as "Chira.”

Chira got on his phone and was talking to someone which I presumed was his higher up telling on the phone to come there quickly as there is a problem. 

Within a few more minutes of arguing with us another gentleman came and both the lady and I told him of the issue. The gentleman was very nice and said that Chira is right that we don't have any policies to abide by for ADA but not to worry that he will get us seated right away.

Again I politely asked him how it is possible that they don't follow ADA and he said we just don't. I want to emphasize that this gentleman was very nice and polite and caring with us.

I asked for his name and he had a name tag on and he introduced himself as Ashram Bayatti which I also verified from his name tag.  Right away Ashram called over another manager and told her that to priority seat us because of handicapped individuals in our parties. This lady was very polite and caring also and I asked her name and verified on her name tag and it was Cynthia Navarro. 

Cynthia took over and got myself and my parents seated and then the other lady and her husband. I was happy with Ashram and Cynthia's wonderful customer service to us, showing that they cared. As for the original gentleman with no name tag "Chira", I was very upset and disappointed with how combative and argumentative he got with us. 

After our meal when I was walking out, it did seem to me that they did have a different line for the handicapped but I'm not 100% sure if that was the case. 

I was and still am upset about this experience even when I type up this story. I just want ADA advocates in our lovely city to look into this and get a statement from Toucan Charlie’s or the Atlantis on the record regarding the rights of handicapped.

(Note: Our Town Reno contacted Toucan Charlie’s, and a manager there said he had no comment when told about this experience.)

I in no means wanted to jump in front of everyone in line, I just wanted to be in the line where the handicap individuals were being assisted, only to find out there was nothing like that when I arrived.  My heart breaks for all the poor people in the long line that only if they knew their rights could've asked for the same courtesy.  Also for the staff to have education about ADA and the compassion to have monitored the line better and assist the visibly handicapped people.

Thank you again for reading my story.

I did a quick search and found this regarding ADA and restaurants:

ADA restaurant requirements include:

1. Communication: Ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities.

2. Parking Accessibility: Design and maintain parking lots for accessibility.

3. Entrance Ramps: Provide ramps for wheelchair access.

4. Accessible Doorways: Ensure doorways are accessible.

5. Dining Room Seating: Accommodate people with disabilities.

6. Accessible Restrooms: Provide accessible restrooms.

Additionally, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), restaurants are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, November 2024

Beyond the Petition, a Call to Speak out to Help Our Libraries after WC1 Defeat

When I was researching ballot questions before the election, I stumbled across an article from *The Journalist’s Resource* about how confusing ballot wording can sway voters. Basically, if someone doesn’t know much about an issue or is reading the question for the first time in the booth, they’re more likely to vote "no" or skip it altogether if it's filled with convoluted jargon.

That’s exactly what happened with WC1. The wording was super complicated and made it seem like a tax increase. If you didn’t already know this funding had been coming out of your property taxes since 1994, voting "no" made sense. I’ve even talked to people who regret their vote after learning more—they didn’t realize this would put the library’s funding at risk.  

When I saw the library director’s statement about potential budget cuts, I started rage-posting on Instagram. At first, I was just sharing ways to email the commissioners and a draft of what I planned to say at the next meeting. Then I thought, why not turn this into a petition?  

Now, I’m asking people to join me at the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on November 19th, 10:00 AM(1001 E. Ninth Street, Building A, Reno). Show up, sign up for public comment, and tell them why you love the library. You don’t have to be fancy—just share how the library has helped you.  

Can’t make it? Submit a comment online here: 

https://washoe-nv.granicusideas.com 

We’ve got until mid 2025, when the budget is finalized, to keep the pressure on. Showing up to this meeting is a great start, but we’ll need to stay engaged to make sure the library gets the funding it deserves.  

If you’re curious, check out how to stay involved on the petition site here:

https://sites.google.com/view/wclibraryfunding/get-involved

I threw it together quickly, so some features like the response counter might be a little funky on mobile, but hey, it works!  

Let’s make this happen. See you on the 19th!  

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Bradley Leavitt 

New Petition to Preserve Funding for Libraries after WC-1 Fails

A new petition called “Preserve Funding for Washoe County Libraries” is now making the rounds after WC-1 failed, getting less than 48% of yes votes.

According to the wording on ballots a "yes" vote supported adopting a property tax of $20 per $100,000 of assessed value for 30 years to fund the acquisition, improvement, and maintenance of library facilities in Washoe County.

Library proponents have complained the question was unclear, since property taxes won’t be changing due to the no vote, rather automatic allocation to our county libraries will disappear.

A reader wrote us the following “With ballot question WC-1 being turned down, the library system could lose $5 million in funding. It seems that lots of people were confused by the wording of the question and didn't realize voting NO would decrease library funds.

I have a petition for the county commissioners and the link is here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeGZwu73ZG1G0.../viewform

The library budget will now be controlled by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners, with fears there will need to be drastic cuts in staff, book budgets and technology.

The petition indicates: “We, the undersigned residents of Washoe County, urge the County Commissioners to ensure the Washoe County Library System continues to receive the same level of funding it has been allocated through the property tax override since 1994. With the failure of ballot measure WC1, the two cents per $100 of assessed property value will no longer be designated specifically for the library. While these funds will now go into the county’s general fund, we ask that you prioritize maintaining this critical funding for our library system.

The failure of WC1 was due, in part, to the misleading wording of the ballot question, which caused many voters to believe this was a new tax or a tax increase. In reality, this was a renewal of an existing tax that has been in place for 30 years. This misunderstanding likely swayed the outcome, despite the broad support our community has for the library system.

For decades, the Washoe County Library System has used this funding to expand and sustain vital community resources. It allowed for the construction of the Northwest Reno, South Valleys, Incline Village, and Spanish Springs libraries, as well as significant renovations to branches in Sparks and downtown Reno. This funding has ensured robust services, even during difficult economic times like the Great Recession.

Our libraries are one of the last free, public resources available to all residents, regardless of income. They provide access to books, technology, educational programs, and community spaces, making them essential “third spaces” where people can learn, connect, and grow outside of home and work.”

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, November 2024

Citizen's Forum: Experiencing an Assault and Getting Kicked Out of 5 Star Saloon

On Friday, November 1st, my friends and I went to 5 Star Saloon on West Street and were wrongfully assaulted and kicked out.

Below I have included the review I left on their page detailing what happened. My friend who was assaulted on the curb and brutally beat up has requested that his identity remain anonymous. He currently has a black eye and a chipped tooth.

I used to go here and I always felt welcomed but they’ve obviously changed their staff.

[On Nov. 1] I went with my friends to this saloon for the first time in a while and I was really looking forward to it.

When we walked in, my friend's ID was checked per usual, and then he was immediately thrown out. I was confused, as I stood there and watched the security re-enter thé bar, ask my friend and boyfriend if they knew the guy he just threw out, to which they responded yes, equally as confused as I.

This aggressive security guard then grabbed my friend and threw him out, while he grabbed my boyfriend, (still inside their establishment) and punched him in the side.

My boyfriend was thrown out and I was scared for my safety as I watched the security man begin to approach me. I ran out to ask what was happening and I saw my friend being choked out on the curb, bleeding, and I thought he wasn’t breathing.

I was screaming, asking what was happening and the security guard came out and said ‘Look at your friend! He's getting what he deserves! That’s going to be you next if you don’t leave!’

This employee did nothing to stop this stranger from beating up my friend and instead he encouraged it.

The 5 Star staff claimed they did not know the man who beat up my friend, however they seemed to be acquainted with him, holding his things for him while he brutally attacked my friend, and after the beating they were nothing but kind to him.

We kept asking the security what happened to possibly warrant my friend getting beaten up on the curb and for my boyfriend to be punched in the side inside the establishment.

His response was that my friend flipped him off while handing him his ID. He was being a ‘smart ass’ and he got what ‘he deserved.’ While flipping someone off is certainly unkind, it DOES NOT warrant a security guard aggressively kicking out my two friends and cheering on the beating of my other friend. When I asked for his name he threatened me and my boyfriend as well as my other friend, telling us to wait until he got off work, alluding that he would beat us up himself. I feel extremely unsafe every going back to this establishment. As a person who is part of the LGBTQ+ community I am extremely disheartened that 5 Star has become such a dangerous place.

I included screenshots of the security guard who was overly forceful and aggressive with us as well as the man in the beige hoodie who brutally beat my friend.

Both of them refused to give me their names and said ‘it's not important.’

When we tried to get a contact from 5 Star security to discuss the matter they told us their business doesn't have an email, or phone number or social media.

My boyfriend had to pester them for about 30 minutes before they agreed to give us an email to contact about the issue. However they do have social media on Snapchat and Instagram as well as an email, phone number, and contact form online … which they told us they did not have.

In one of the videos my friend was saying she didn't know who the man getting beat up was because we were scared for our safety. However, once we found out the reason he was brutally beaten, myself and my boyfriend stayed and asked for an explanation while our other friends got our beat up friend home safely.

Unfortunately, when the cops showed up our friend was on his way home so nothing was done.

Citizen’s Forum Contribution by Lauren Juillerat

Darrel, Trying to Survive at the Cares Campus and in Reno in His Wheelchair

“Being in a wheelchair, just trying to get around, Reno's roads suck. There's cracks everywhere and everything. It's up and down. Cracks and slides. But I do like Reno.

I think it's a beautiful place. And for the most part, there's kind people here, and it just depends on which area you're in.

I’m Darrel. I’m 44 and I used to work in a restaurant as a server. I’ve also been an EMT. 

Last winter, I slipped on black ice and broke my tibia, fibula, ankle, and part of my foot. I lost my apartment a month later because I lost my job.

In my wheelchair, it takes me two hours just to get to a gas station.

I used to live right there, near the Wild River Grille.  

I am now staying at the Cares Campus, which feels horrible. 

There's a lot of people who just, they treat you like they're above you. 

I couldn't work, so I ended up there.  If I can find a job that allows me to kind of stumble around and use my wheelchair, I’d be happy to work again. 

During the day, I try to come closer to downtown so I can stay away from all the anger and there's a lot of vulgar language. You know? Down on 4th Street?

And the food sucks at the Cares Campus. I refuse to even go to the food section. They, like, serve the same stew. Or it’s things that don't go together. And then they feed you at four o'clock. That's dinner.

And then breakfast is at six o'clock in the morning. But they only give you a doughnut. And they took away the coffee, which I don't drink anyways. I don't care. I try to eat my meals elsewhere.  

But what if someone's diabetic? So they don't eat in the morning. From four o'clock in the afternoon. Like, what if they don't have food stamps?

I mean, it does help people, and there's a lot of people who may have some good case managers, and they really try to get you out of there. 

Certain people, they treat differently. I'm not gonna lie.

As long as it's sunny and I'm out of there, that's a good day if I can go somewhere peaceful.

That's why I come over to the river and stuff, where it's quiet, and I can have conversations.

It's a better environment for me mentally. 

We should have a book club at the Cares Campus, or have something to get people mentally stimulated instead of just waiting.

Like something to keep their mind off of their urges.

They need things that are more positive and not just everyone talking down to you. 

My message to the community? Just be positive to each other, and you'll receive positivity.

If you're sending out negativity, you're gonna receive negativity.”

Our Town Reno reporting by Joey Azar and Nate Vallin

Erin, On Reno's Streets after Incarceration, Praying for a Turnaround

“I am doing pretty good, actually, versus what I've just recently went through.

My nickname is Hillbilly. My real name is Erin. It's the Scottish version from Aaron from in the Bible. 

My family is Scot-Irish, Norwegian and Cherokee.

I came into this city 33 days ago and was only in this city for two whole days and then me and my wife had a little dispute and we were on a honeymoon, and I ended up going to jail… 

And then I was in there for 32 days and I just got released two nights ago and found out my car and my service animal are gone. 

We met on Facebook seven months ago and got married four months into it at a music festival and just decided to travel to the West Coast.

So now I'm just trying to pick up what shattered pieces I have left and make a new puzzle.

Or a stained glass arrangement… or … make a new mosaic out of this monstrous picture, and then the Lord is going to be in it.

 All my life I've always wanted a family. I'm 35. I kind of pictured having a career, a house, a car and a family and kids running around at about 25.”

Reporting by Alin Beane shared with Our Town Reno

Salem Lynn, Local Fantasy Series Author Advocates for Mental Health

“My name is Salem Lynn and I am a born and raised Renoite. I am a proud trans man and single parent, and very passionate about my craft. I began writing as soon as I knew what writing was and haven't looked back, and now am getting ready to release my second novel!

I want to use my successes to advocate for mental health. My debut book series was inspired by a decade long psychosis that I was able to recover from, but for many that is not a reality. I want to open the doors to talk about mental health in a real, broad sense and hopefully, through bringing awareness to these issues, show people that people can recover and be good to themselves, and they do deserve it.

My book is based on the psychosis I experienced. I used the things I once believed to be wholly real, and turned them into a unique fantasy series that explores themes of abusive relationships and standing up for what you believe in even at great personal cost, even when it's terrifying to face.

You can find my book, Something So Lovely, at our local Barnes and Nobel,  Thistle and Nightshade, and on Amazon. The sequel, Something So Vicious, will be available on ebook February 2025 with print copies to follow.

My email is the best way to reach out if you have any questions or comments and for all business inquiries: salem.lynn316@gmail.com

I am always happy to hear from fans! You can connect with me and keep up with any announcements by finding me on TikTok, Instagram, and Threads under the username "author.salem". 

Citizen’s Forum Contribution, October 2024

Adam, a Local Sales Associate at a Reno Vitamin Shoppe

Adam ​Schallberger values healthy living and ensuring that consumers take the proper vitamins and supplements. He believes that health is wealth and that people should focus more on what goes on in their bodies.

"I ​really ​believe ​and ​kind ​of ​live ​by ​the ​whole ​idea ​that ​health ​is ​wealth. ​I ​enjoy ​learning ​about ​how ​to ​take ​care ​of ​my ​body ​and ​spreading ​that ​knowledge ​with ​other ​people ​that ​come ​into ​the ​shop ​on ​how ​to ​take ​care ​of ​their ​body ​and ​improve ​their ​health.

​My ​name ​is ​Adam ​Schallberger. ​I'm ​a ​sales ​associate ​here. I ​chose ​to ​work ​at ​the ​Vitamin ​Shoppe ​because ​I ​love ​to ​work ​out. ​I ​love ​fitness. ​

So ​being able ​to ​learn ​about ​supplements, ​sell ​supplements, ​and ​help ​other ​people ​kind ​of ​gain ​more ​understanding ​on ​health ​and ​wellness ​is ​super ​interesting ​to ​me.

​My ​favorite ​supplement ​to ​take ​is ​probably ​a multivitamin. ​I ​feel ​like ​it's ​probably ​one ​of ​the ​more ​slept ​on ​supplements ​that ​not ​enough ​people ​are ​taking ​and ​not ​enough ​people ​fully ​understand ​the ​benefit ​of ​taking ​a ​multivitamin.

​If ​you're ​not ​able ​to ​get ​your ​essential ​nutrients, ​vitamins, ​minerals ​within ​your ​diet, ​it's ​always ​important ​to ​have ​a ​multivitamin. ​So ​I ​would ​say ​that's ​why ​that's ​my ​favorite ​supplement ​to ​take.

Health ​is ​super ​important ​if ​you ​want ​to ​live ​a ​long ​life, ​if ​you ​want ​to ​be ​able ​to ​see ​your ​kids ​grow ​up, ​see ​your ​grandkids ​grow ​up, ​you ​know, ​it's ​really ​important ​to ​start ​taking ​care ​of ​your ​health ​and ​wellness ​from ​a ​young ​age."

Workers of Reno Contribution by Eric Perez

Is Reno’s Whip Enforcement Further Criminalizing Poverty and Worsening Local Homelessness?

A recent video message by Reno PD making the social media rounds is reminding residents that it’s illegal to possess or use bullwhips in Reno’s downtown corridor. 

An officer in the video says Reno PD has cited or arrested 11 people within the last two months and asks residents to report any whip use to police immediately, making it sound like an absolute priority.  

“This law helps maintain a peaceful environment and ensures public safety,” the officer says in the video.  He adds “misusing a whip can create unnecessary tension and dangerous situations.”

Sure it’s a loud sound that can startle initially.  Our previous reporting in recent years, with interviews of multiple whip users, both male and female, indicated it’s been a tradition for many unhoused here to make their own whip and then use it as a de-stressing mechanism, to pass the time, or to alert their friends of those they view as threatening arriving in their vicinity. 

What about pickup trucks rolling coal on joggers, EV drivers and pedestrians?  We don’t see Reno PD going after them very much.  What about motorcyclists veering threateningly into cyclists, as some did during the recent Street Vibrations, or startling them with loud and sudden accelerations?  

The 2021 Reno whip ordinance, not thought about much until the recent video, clearly targets the unhoused walking around, since they are the ones who’ve had whips here.  Being unhoused can strip individuals of their courage, and for some having a whip gave them a modicum of strength to face a world crumbling around them.  

Research indicates the unhoused are much more likely to be victims of crimes than to commit any themselves, even as their mere existence without having shelter at night or a place to go during the day has become a crime.  

Enforcing laws criminalizing homelessness only makes the problem worse, more challenging for those on the streets and more expensive and complicated for those who want to help.  

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, October 2024

A Resident Struggling with Bipolar Disorder Starts New YouTube Channel for Awareness

A message from a northern Nevada resident Julie Rose who recently launched her own YouTube channel to promote mental health awareness and document her own difficult journey.

“The last couple of years have been extremely challenging as I was in a very unhealthy relationship which I was able to get out of in January. I became pre-diabetic within 6 months since my ex wanted to thicken me up and I had to adjust to his eating habits.

Shortly after, my medication for Bipolar Disorder failed me with an extreme side effect called Tardive Dyskinesia, a permanent movement disorder.

I had also just started a new job which was quite stressful. I was granted an accommodation for my mental health issues which allowed me to have extra unpaid time off as I didn’t qualify for FMLA.

My psych highly recommended I go inpatient for at least a month since trying to find a new medication cocktail is grueling and challenging as I could no longer take most medications used to treat my disorder.

I also broke my back years ago, was almost paralyzed by a bone splinter 2mm away from my spinal cord and never had surgery, so that's been an issue for me as well for years.

My ex reached out to my parents behind my back (he had barely uttered 5 words to them on a FaceTime call with me).

I hate admitting defeat, but I gave in to my parents suggestion to move closer to them in Tahoe from Phoenix. They flew down, packed me up as I was in terrible shape, and drove me and my three cats up to Reno.

I’ve been extremely grateful for their assistance and allowing me to stabilize and get healthy for the last two months.

I’ve been exercising, getting outdoors, meeting new people (I was isolated and cut off from everyone in my life for a year and a half.)

My YouTube channel is intended to advocate [for] mental health awareness, as a human element to what it’s like living with Bipolar Disorder, and share tips through my experiences that have helped me cope with my symptoms.

I’m at the point where I need to start supporting myself financially again and am looking for a job that has reasonable accommodations for my disability while giving me time to grow my channel. Any help is appreciated with getting the word out there and raise awareness for people who live with disabilities."

Find her channel here: https://youtube.com/@julie4jewels?si=k1arN6GRsYuInWSq

Citizen’s Forum Contribution, October 2024

Women Shine Seeks to Help Women with HIV Including in Washoe County

A new study called Women Shine is looking to help women living with HIV/AIDS improve their care and mental well-being, including here in Washoe County, where sadly much more could be done in terms of assistance and support for this specific group.

Women Shine is currently recruiting participants throughout the Silver State to “facilitate community-engaged HIV research to address syndemic conditions and health disparities that many women are currently facing. facilitate community-engaged HIV research to address syndemic conditions and health disparities that many women are currently facing.”

For those unfamiliar with the term, a syndemic is a combination of health conditions or diseases that interact with each other and are made worse by social and structural factors. The word is a combination of "synergy" and "epidemic.”

Anyone interested can call them at (858) 354-0381 or email at womenshine@health.ucsd.edu

Participants who need to be 18 or old will fill out up to five surveys over 16 months, send off up to five hair samples over that time period, and receive $540 for their time, in addition to receiving specific HIV support services.

The principal investigator for this study, which is being run out of the University of California San Diego, is Dr. Jamila Stockman.

In Washoe County, as in much of the country, HIV stigma and a lack of access to medical care, especially among lower class residents and communities of color, have been obstacles in reducing HIV transmission and ensuring those infected have a normal life expectancy.

Our Town Reno Citizen’s Contribution, October 2024

"The Missing and Murdered" at the Holland Project

A powerful, heart wrenching, exhibit now at the Holland Project in collaboration with the Of the Sol Collective is “The Missing and Murdered” by local photographer Alejandra Rubio on display until October 12th.

Gallery hours are Wed to Fri 12 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m to 2 p.m. A closing reception will take place October 12th from 1 to 3 p.m.

“In this series of photographs, I aim to honor and shed light on the tragic reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. This piece is a visual homage to our ancestors and a poignant reminder of the ongoing crisis that affects our communities today,” Rubio writes.

“These photographs captures the murdered indigenous women and girl. Through these imagery, I seek to convey both the profound loss we have endured and the resilience of our people. The colors of the ribbon skirts on a dark background serves to highlight the stark contrasts between the vibrant life that has been lost and the somber reality of the issue.

I strive to give voice to those who have been silenced and to draw attention to the systemic issues that perpetuate this crisis.

This work is a call to awareness and action. It is a reminder that the fight for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is not just a distant history but an urgent and ongoing struggle. Through these photographs, I hope to foster empathy, provoke thought, and inspire collective effort towards meaningful change.”

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, September 2024

Local Public Health Experts Brought Menstrual and Harm Reduction Kits to Burning Man

Burning Man may be long over, but one initiative we’ve just been told about from there concerns two recent alumni from UNR’s School of Public Health, Layla BenBrahim and Madalyn Larson who distributed menstrual and harm reduction kits during the playa extravaganza.

BenBrahim, who now works at UNR as an Accreditation and Evaluation Coordinator and Larson, a public health researcher, placed kits complete with pads, tampons, bamboo wipes, sandwiches and lollipops in bins around the Dusty Dillas campsite and both shared information on using also made available harm reduction supplies.

Those were assembled with the help of the Northern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance and the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies.

“The members of the Northern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance (NNHRA) and my Dusty Dillas campmates encouraged me to bring these supplies and messages on the playa. Before Burning Man, I spent time with my friends to assemble kits and make sure I had the right messages to convey to other burners who were interested in learning about harm reduction,” Larson said.

“There are a few theme camps at Burning Man who do extensive efforts for providing period support,” BenBrahim said of her own initiative. “The one that comes to mind is camp Redhanded. I visited them back in 2023 and was absolutely blown away by how comfortable they made me feel. I just knew that I was able to contribute in a similar manner but at a smaller scale.”

By the end of this year’s burn, all of their kits had been distributed. Shouldn’t we normalize these types of kits throughout our communities and in party areas off playa year round?

Our Town Reno, Citizen’s Forum, September 2024