With captivating acting, Bruka Theatre’s newest show The Book of Will is an immersive play bound to be enjoyable, a must see for Shakespeare nerds and a delight for those who enjoy being transported in time.
Here, actors play actors who engage in a battle to save the legacy of William Shakespeare, the playwright and poet who was also an actor for the King’s Men theatre company, under English royal patronage in the 17th century.
After his death in 1616 at the age of 52 in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, his fellow actors are determined to preserve the words he so eloquently wrote.
Pieces of Shakespearean plays are woven through their interactions making The Book of Will a bit of an inside joke for any theater aficionado.
Even for those less knowledgeable of the legendary writer, the production is a captivating history lesson on the royal theatre company’s efforts to compile a published catalog of Shakespeare’s plays.
The many ups and downs of their theater quest leave the audience in suspense.
Put together with a small cast of actors, the quick costume changes are hard to notice at first. This speaks to the talent of Bruka Theatre’s actors and production.
At times there were only seconds between a character exiting and a completely new character entering, both played by the same actor or actress.
Not only does the content of the play and the wild comedy of actors playing actors on stage draw the audience into the world of the early 1600s but the costumes and design of the set do as well.
Set director Lew Zeumeyer worked on the design for eight weeks, a fast turnaround in the theater business.
Backdropped by the side tavern of the Elizabethan Globe Theatre, first built in 1599 for Shakespeare’s plays, the handcrafted set we now have here in Reno pulls the audience straight in.
“This is my baby!” Stacey Spain, director of the Bruka Theatre’s production of The Book of Will explained, as the play was previewed for members of the local media including Our Town Reno.
It’s alive now and being shown at Bruka Theatre throughout March, with a debut tonight.
Mt. Rose: Where the Local Skiers and Snowboarders Are At
A group of local skiers is about to go down some of the Chutes at Mount Rose, which cover over 200 acres of expert terrain with over 1,000 feet of north-facing slopes and pitches from 40-55 degrees. Photo by Malia Ascuaga.
On a cloudy Friday afternoon, skiers and snowboarders enjoy the fresh snow from recent storms and a quiet crowd.
Between the short lines, expert terrain, and light Bay Area tourist traffic, this mountain holds a special place in the hearts of many locals.
Mt. Rose, a ski resort established in 1964, has been a favorite of Reno Tahoe locals for many years. The loyalty created by those who enjoy Mt. Rose has created a unique subculture in itself of Mt. Rose devotees.
The Pettengill and Holmberg ski crew enjoyed the fresh snow on a recent cloudy afternoon. Photo by Malia Ascuaga.
Local Jamie Pettengill has been skiing at Rose for 25 years. Pettengill says he enjoys the easiness of the commute as well as the friendly ski culture up here.
“This place is more low-key than the other places. More family oriented. A lot of kids and families up here. It’s just got a good vibe to it. Everyone is really nice up here,” Pettengill explained.
Unlike some of the larger resorts in the area, it takes only a matter of minutes to get from the parking lot to a chair lift. From Rose’s upper parking lot, you can ski in-and-out from the slopes to your car.
At Mt. Rose, it takes just a couple minutes to get from your car to the base of the mountain. Photo by Malia Ascuaga.
Eric Holmberg, dating Pettengill’s daughter, is impressed by the overall variety in runs Rose has to offer while on a family ski day.
“Really nice terrain and variety out here. A lot of good greens. A lot of good blues. And a lot of good blacks. It’s a good all-around mountain,” Holmberg said.
For experts like Michael Hataway who has been coming up to Rose since 2006, Mount Rose is all about “the Chutes and the people. It’s a local’s hangout,” he said.
“There’s rarely ever a lift line,” Hataway says. “You run into all of your friends here in the Chutes and in the bar. Even if it is a holiday, the tourists don’t go in the Chutes.”
“8260’, where the snow is.” Photo by Malia Ascuaga.
Hataway’s friends who have been skiing at Rose for 10 years similarly enjoy the expert terrain, good vibes, and quality snow.
With consistent snowfalls in recent days and weeks, Mt. Rose is as usual one of the few resorts with a snow pack that covers the entirety of the mountain, and as in other winters, many locals are finding their spots of when to go, as it’s one of the main reasons they stay in northern Nevada.
Reporting and photos by Malia Ascuaga
Lobos de Plata at UNR reenergizing mariachi for the community
On a Friday evening, Lobos de Plata, a mariachi band and club at the University of Nevada, Reno, gathers for a rehearsal at the Church of Fine Arts building, with members welcoming each other with a smile, while taking out their instruments, from violins to the large bass guitar known as the guitarrón.
“To me, it’s part of my culture, and it’s also part of what makes me a Mexican,” Pedro Alberto Vázquez Ramírez, a 21-year-old from Durango, Mexico, and currently treasurer of the club, said about mariachi.
“I feel very identified with my music. Overall, it’s more than just music to me. It’s pride in what you do and where you’re from… and passion too,” he said.
Vázquez has been playing music for 11 years and has played mariachi for almost nine years. He was introduced to mariachi through a middle school program. Vázquez plays many instruments, some of which are the guitar, vihuela, and guitarrón.
Twenty-one-year-old Melanie Castillo is the president of the club and runs the rehearsals. She has played the violin for 11 years and has been in mariachi for almost six years. Castillo said that mariachi is a good way to get in touch with your roots as well as find a community and lifelong friendships. Since she started, she has felt more connected to her culture and family.
“My grandma loves mariachi music, so that has always been a plus that I could connect with her in that way too,” she said.
Anthony Del Angel, also 21 years old and the vice president, began playing mariachi when he came to college. In the band, Del Angel plays trumpet which he has played since fifth grade. He thinks it’s important for mariachi to be incorporated in schools and the community.
“Unfortunately, a lot of schools have been cutting the programs,” he said. “We heard about a lot of middle schools and some other high schools that did have programs, but they were cut or don’t have teachers.”
Lobos de Plata are seen in their uniforms, what they refer to as trajes, and with their instruments. They have performed at quinceañeras, community events on campus, Hispanic events, and more. Photo provided by Mariachi Lobos de Plata.
However, Del Angel also said that culture and the people are why mariachi remains popular to this day.
Furthermore, Vázquez mentioned that many artists still make songs with mariachi, such as Pedro Fernández, Alejandro Fernández, and more. There are also a lot of mariachis around that continue to release music, like Mariachi América and Mariachi Vargas.
Mariachi is very versatile, and because of that, it can reach so many different people and convey many emotions, according to Castillo.
“I feel like music is something that’s very universal. It can be understood by a lot of people and… that’s always a good way to connect with them,” she said.
Vázquez also said that you can feel many emotions through mariachi.
“You can be sad, you can be happy, thoughtful, or even mad sometimes,” he said.
Lobos de Plata has played at quinceañeras, other birthday parties, community events on campus, Hispanic events, and more.
They have both public and private shows. Their private performances are charged by the hour. The money they make through these performances and their fundraising goes directly towards things such as their uniforms, what they refer to as trajes. Castillo said that one traje costs an average of $315 to $345. The shipping can be an additional $300 to $700.
If you’re interested in joining, Castillo said that people are welcome to come and sit in during their first rehearsal if they don’t want to play or sing so they can see what the club is all about.
“If you’re just thinking about doing it, it never hurts to try,” she said. “Never miss an opportunity. Take every chance.”
Lobos de Plata holds rehearsals every Wednesday and Friday from 5–6:30 p.m. in the Church Fine Arts building, room 112. The club will also be having a concert later this Spring semester.
Reporting by Stephanie Navarro Rocha
DUBS: New Locally Owned Sports Lounge Set to Open This Spring in Downtown Reno
Where do you like to watch sports in Reno? Any go to options for the Super Bowl or Golden Knights games?
If you feel options are limited, two Reno locals Derek Sornson and Tristen Houston are behind a new spot for sport aficionados set to open at 95 N Sierra Street in the Spring called DUBS Sports Lounge.
That location previously was the Stick Sports Lounge which closed after eight years in business last year.
The two owners both in their late 20s who met at UNR already have a track record by opening the popular orange colored Vistro on 1st street and now felt ready to expand into a sports venture.
DUBS plans to have over 25 TVs with game-day viewing events, 90s and early 2000s sports memorabilia on the walls, classic food and specialty craft shots.
“DUBS is not just another business venture; it's a heartfelt invitation to our Reno community to come together and create new memories in the heart of the city. We've created a space where sports come to life, friendships are celebrated, and every visit feels like a win,” Sornson said in a press release today.
“Not only can you expect sports on the screens, but we will also host larger scale viewing parties for events such as UFC and March Madness, along with table-top games, weekend entertainment, and craft shots inspired by our travels in Spain to catch a Real Madrid game,” Houston said.
They’ve been helped with artistic components, including for the concept drawing, by local artist Terrance Howard.
Keep Reno Rad reporting, February 2024
Mandala Massage Supply & Apothecary - A business closing but not disappearing
After 13 years as a brick and mortar store, Reno holistic health staple Mandala Massage Supply & Apothecary is closing its doors to focus solely on its thriving online business, occasional pop up events and supplying other entities.
A closing sale is taking place at its location at 314 Vassar St on massage supplies, incense candles, custom aromas and other items. It's closed Mondays but will be open tomorrow as it wraps up its final sales.
The storefront near Wells Avenue is the third location the shop has been in in its local history, which will continue but no longer with a constant physical public space.
Owner Lisa Rojas began the company as a second career after being a massage therapist.
After years as a source for local residents, further expanding through internet sales is the best decision for her company, she says, even if bittersweet.
“We have a strong community here in Reno,” Rojas said. “It’s showing even more now as we are closing. It breaks our hearts.”
Customers appreciate that the products she sells are well sourced with pure ingredients and not out of reach in terms of their pricing.
Her affiliated online site, Temple of Life Oils & Perfumes, has been up and running for seven years now, and will continue as a supplier of quality apothecary and massage products.
Mandala is known for their live aromatherapy bars, something that will sorely be missed from their brick and mortar location. Still, they plan to have a presence in Reno through pop ups and special market events.
“We’re not disappearing, we’ll still have a presence in Reno,” Rojas said.
Look for their shop online at templeoflifeoils.com and on Instagram at @temple_of_life
Reporting and photos by Em Tomeo shared with Our Town Reno
Gloria's Cafe, a Glorious Place for Brunch and Breakfast
Right by Oxbow Nature Study Ave, at 2365 Dickerson Road, Gloria’s Cafe is known for its savory breakfast and brunch options.
David Moreno, the owner, opened the restaurant four years ago, with an inviting atmosphere, featuring both indoor and outdoor seating.
Josuee Ortiz, featured in photos, is David's nephew. He enjoys all aspects of keeping the cafe running, from cooking to plate decoration.
While you wait for your order, 75 cents might win you a mini Rubik's Cube or slinky from the claw machine. The ham and cheese omelette with the pancake option provided a savory and sweet combination of flavors. Two sand dollar sized pancakes coated with fresh powdered sugar stood out and there were a variety of hot sauces for the omelette.
On Yelp, a reviewer wrote recently: “Food was beyond amazing! Our new favorite place to eat breakfast every one was so happy and friendly service was on point! The place was clean and welcoming,” accompanied by mouth watering photos of a plate of chilaquiles, and another of crab cake eggs and a Monte Cristo sandwich.
Reporting and Photos by Dani DeRosa shared with Our Town Reno
Mary Bennett "Pours Endless Emotion" in Every Brilliant Thing at Brüka Theatre
Every Brilliant Thing is on offering until February 4th.
On Virginia Street, just a block north of the Truckee river, lives Brüka Theatre. Sunken down a few steps from the sidewalk, neon lights shine from the windows, coloring the path for patrons and pedestrians alike.
The theatre sprung to life in 1992, according to their website, and has produced over 2,100 shows since then. On this cold Thursday evening in January, I was ushered down the stairs to sub-Brüka— a cozy basement room that undoubtedly holds the ability to transform into anywhere imaginable.
Mary Bennett, the Producing Artistic Director and an actor at Brüka, greeted me with a smile and a piece of paper. “When I say this number, can you say this?” Bennett asked me. The pink note card read: ‘525924. Track 7 on every great record.’
“Sure,” I replied, taking the note. Feeling special, and confused.
Every Brilliant Thing was originally written by English playwright Duncan Macmillan, and performed by stand-up comedian Johnny Donahoe. At the outset, it appears to be a one-man show— but that is not the case at all.
In his first performances, Donahoe would call on various unwitting audience members to take on the roles of supporting characters. Submerging folks fully into the story this way, audience participation became an integral piece of performing Macmillan’s play.
In the Brüka Theatre, I watched Bennett greet every guest that came in after me with a similar smile, note card, and request. My feelings of being special were replaced by something even better— excitement.
A spectator is asked to play the vet.
Eventually the lights brightened over the set and the audience grew silent. Bennett started with a small, smooth voice: “The list began after her first attempt. A list of everything brilliant in the world. Everything worth living for.”
“Number one,” says Bennet, lifting an eyebrow, looking up. Someone behind me in the audience enthusiastically shouts, “ice cream!”
Every Brilliant Thing is the hilarious and heartbreaking account of a person who grows up with a chronically depressed mother. Feeling guilty about their mother’s sadness, the narrator hurls “brilliant things” at her, in hopes of landing on something brilliant enough to beat out the bad thoughts.
The more their mother resists seeing and hearing of all her child’s brilliant things, the more desperate the child becomes— etching gratitudes inside cereal boxes, carving them into bread loaves. Anything that might give their mother a reason to live.
As the narrator grows older, goes to college, and falls in love, they’re introduced to their own depressive tendencies. The narrator ponders the undeniable link between their mother and their own self, and the list begins to serve a new purpose.
Bennett poured endless emotion into this performance, drawing many laughs and gasps (and at least one tear) from the audience. Not only were we invited to witness this story, we also had the opportunity to help create the story. The person sitting next to me, in fact, had a turn in the spotlight. They played the veterinarian who euthanized the narrator’s childhood dog, Sherlock Bones. And they crushed it.
\Every Brilliant Thing is wonderfully written, and Bennett was breath-taking. But the true magic of it came from the audience. As Bennett ran through sub-Brüka, breathing heavily with passion and high-fiving us all, there was a sense of connection in the little theatre.
There was no fourth wall break, because the fourth wall was never built. We experienced fiction, a performance— but it was real, too. It was life. We were all in it together, the connection was palpable. The lines were blurred and beautiful. And that feeling was one (of many) brilliant things.
Keep Reno Rad reporting and photos by Ray Grosser
Reno Magick, where Norse culture comes alive
The Norse Storyweaving Hour, hosted by Devon, is every Tuesday night from 7 to 8 p.m. at Reno Magick, located at 1004 S Wells.
On a calm and chilly Tuesday evening just before 7:00 p.m., a few people wait outside Reno Magick on S. Wells, making casual chit chat before tonight’s host Devon opens the door and ushers them into the temple, adjacent to the shop.
Devon is dressed in all black with long black hair, a friendly disposition and a big book of ancient stories from the Norse tradition.
Old Norse culture encompasses both Viking and the medieval cultures of Iceland and Norway, as well as lesser known North Atlantic islands and parts of England, Ireland and Scotland.
“I've just been kind of doing one or two stories each time for these and I kind of at the end of each story, just want to hear what other people think, what they kind of took from that,” Devon says. “Honestly, each time I read these stories, something new pops up.”
Devon is the leader of the Norse temple, and aside from hosting the Storyweaving hour here he holds a Blót (which is an exchange in which you sacrifice to the gods in order to get something back in return) every other Wednesday in the space, minus the human sacrifice of the ancient tradition.
Following Devon’s lead, each person shared their name and a short introduction about themselves. One woman explained that she brought her son to expose him to new religions, traditions and ideas about spirituality.
“So I'm the owner of both the store and the temple and one of the things we promote here is not so much about religion, so spirituality, because all humans are spirits, period,” Misty Reiknights explained. “So for us it's about training yourself to listen to your own spirits, because we all came with a posse, whether it be. Ancestors, whether it be deity, whether it be our guides.”
Devon’s animated readings of ancient tales of gods, warriors, and ice giants is certainly entertaining, but the thoughtful group discussion after each one makes the evening personal.
Each of the epic and sometimes risqué parables of the Norse tradition contain lessons which can mean something different to everyone.
The Norse Storyweaving Hour offers both a quiet moment for introspection and a nice way to connect with new people in a relaxed and welcoming environment, filled with beautiful works that comprise a wall of altars, honoring traditions that span the globe and human history.
Reporting by Andrew Zuker shared with Our Town Reno
Sparklie Bunny Puts Quality and Family Heritage into the Vintage
“My whole life I never wanted to look like somebody, I just wanted to look like me,” said Jade McLain, owner of Sparklie Bunny, a vintage clothing store prizing quality. “The people who made clothes back then really took pride in their work. That’s why it lasts so long. People also used to take a lot better care with their clothes.”
In the modern era of fast fashion and ever-changing trends, clothing isn’t as well made as it used to be. It is a lot harder to find pieces that aren’t a long list of mixed materials – the same way it is with ingredients lists on packaged food today.
Jade McLain, the owner of Sparklie Bunny at 1385 South Wells Ave., says she is obsessed with vintage clothing and loves reworking items to give them a personal flair.
The pieces sold at her store range from vintage, to her hand-reworked vintage clothing, to basics and even a line of quality-sourced classics sporting the Sparklie Bunny logo.
Inspired by her grandmother and her mother, both fashion lovers, McLain has dedicated her career to sustainable fashion with quality as the top priority.
Sparklie Bunny is a conglomeration of her grandmother, her mother and herself. The bunny logo is inspired by her grandmother’s modeling history, which includes being the May 1976 cover Playmate of the Month. The hair comes from her mother’s hairdressing career, her role model of a woman owning and running a business. Sparkles are McLain’s own touch. She’s always been a tomboy, but a tomboy topped with glitter.
Starting with pop up sales and a commercial website, McLain found that her dream was to expand further to a more accessible space. Vintage shopping online is difficult, especially with modified and reworked pieces.
“The sizing is very different between brands,” McLain explained. “They don’t always have the correct sizing with everyone.”
The brick and mortar storefront opened in October of 2022. There is an ambience of eclectic vintage and homage to the fun nature of McLain’s business.
Antler chandeliers, sparkles, vintage pieces and her grandmother’s iconic Playboy magazine cover decorate the interior of the store.
Self expression is easiest done through fashion and appearance, that is part of why her brand means so much to McLain. She does it all herself, from logo design, to website building, to photography and vintage sourcing.
McLain tries to thrift wherever she can, finding spectacular vintage clothing pieces in the most unsuspecting places. Even if a piece isn’t a match made in heaven to herself- it could be somebody else’s.
Her online storefront showcases the pieces found in her store, with a touch of Sparklie Bunny personality as well.
There is a wide range of curated pieces to explore and try on at Sparklie Bunny, and McLain makes her store’s experience as accessible as possible.
“It’s important to know what you have on you,” McLain said. “Don’t you want to pass on something you wear one day?”
A chain of owners passing down clothing is a sustainable and eco-friendly option when it comes to finding the perfect clothing piece. Not only does it benefit the environment, but it raises the quality of clothing options too. Each piece is going to have a story.
The sentiment of finding joy in what you wear, enough to treasure it and pass that experience on is something that McLain’s business shares with the Reno community.
“Not a lot of people have the opportunity to wear whatever they want,” McLain concluded. “When you have the opportunity to do that you really take pride in how you look.”
Reporting by Em Tomeo shared with Our Town Reno
Solving the Puzzle Room in Reno
The Puzzle Room Reno is an adventure, horror, and mystery escape room place for all ages.
Especially for myself, a 23-year-old male who always becomes a child every time I unlock a clue.
I also became a scared man-child when I was stuck in the Asylum- it's one of five escape rooms there.
They also have Valley of the Kings, Below Ground, Lost Cabin, and Blackbeard’s Treasure.
The Asylum was a dark room with only a few flickering lights and the sounds of many residents being admitted to the asylum, whispering and screaming, and we had to use past clues of past inmates trying to escape.
Be lightning fast if you're attempting to beat the time record, which is 29:23, and remember everybody has 60 minutes to escape, and you'll probably need at least 45 minutes to run away from your nightmares successfully.
So far, at the Puzzle Room, Valley of the Kings is the most fun I have had with my coworkers from the UNR campus for a staff bonding night.
We had a blast because we were going into the room as a group of explorers trying to find an explorer who went missing in search of the treasure of King Tut’s tomb.
We came close to beating the record of 23:17, but we got a very close to it 23:30. We were satisfied. We had lots of fun being together and working on our communication skills. Each room only costs $27 for each person, which is a steal. To reserve a room, you must have at least two people.
I highly recommend going to the Puzzle Room Reno for an adventurous afternoon, a frightening night with family and friends, or even trying to escape the rooms as a date duo.
Keep Reno Rad Feature by Mario Jimenez
Pickleball Players of All Abilities Unite at Convention Center
While reporting on the local pickleball scene with reporters Kathleen Leslie Kelsey Morris John Purdy and Kelly Yang Kat Fulwider got some wonderful pictures of local players in action and posing on the court at the Jam On It program at the Convention Center.
“You’re going to see kids play with their parents. You’re going to see grandparents play with their kids, and their grandkids. So the diversity, women, black, religious wise, they leave it here,” Matt Williams one of the organizers of the extremely popular program said. “You may have a judge come here, and you may have someone who just got off parole. It is that diverse. They don’t care. It’s sports. It’s pickleball.”
“If you’re single, or you’re lonely at home, you come here, you can stay here for hours,” Katherine Lewis, one of the staff said. “It’s big enough that you’re not sitting by yourself. You can watch good games, interact with people, eat, leave, come back. You can spend a good day here.”
“If you’re pairing up with people, and you’re partnering with them, you can build upon that, get to know more about your partners,” Kristina Cipolletti, one of the many participants said. “You learn their game, you learn about their life. It’s really special."
Have you tried the local pickleball scene and where do you like to play?
Photo Series and reporting shared with Our Town Reno, December 2023
A Reno Mattress Company with a History of Springing Up 4th Street
If you’ve taken a stroll or a drive down 4th street in the last several decades, you may have seen a stand alone red brick building just east of Sutro Street. Stretched across the top of the building is a faded blue and yellow sign that proclaims “Reno Mattress Company,” and just below that, “since 1910.” The anachronistic sign stands out as a relic of the past, in the middle of an evolving 4th street.
The image on the sign is an old car loaded with furniture and stacked with mattresses on top, bouncing across Washoe Valley, with a jack rabbit dashing through the scene. The sign caught our attention at Our Town Reno, so I went to go check it out. Inside the little red brick building I met Mike Berry, who has worked full time at the store for over fifty years.
Mike greeted me with a smile as he chatted with a customer about a custom RV mattress. I tested out a couple of mattresses, and examined a row of beautiful old Singer sewing machines. After one customer left, the next approached Mike. He was an 88-year-old man from Oklahoma who rode his bike to the store. Mike helped him find the most comfortable mattress, something that would help the Oklahoman get a great night’s rest. Afterwards Mike looked at me in astonishment. “88 years old and he rode his bike here,” he said excitedly.
Mike isn’t sure exactly where the company was in 1910. In the 1960s, when his parents bought in, Reno Mattress was farther east down 4th Street. One thing Mike discovered, though, were some old articles that displayed the company’s old, four digit phone number: five seven nine one. Reno Mattress has kept those same four digits as the last part of their phone number until now. “So yeah,” says Mike, “we had the same number for probably, I don't know, 80 years, 100 years.”
Mike has worked at the store since he was a kid, and he has worked hard. “I never got any summer vacations because my dad was hard nose,” Mike told me. “So, you know, my buddies were having summer vacation, and I was down here working eight hours a day.” The missed summer vacations may have paid off (at least in part) when Mike bought a brand new Ford truck when he turned 21.
After being in the mattress business for over fifty years, Mike definitely knows what he’s talking about, when it comes to spring vs. foam or other particularities of the sleep comfort industry. “They say people are in bed like, a fourth of their life, you know,” Mike said. “So you definitely need a good bed.”
There are only four types of mattresses, according to Mike: spring, foam, water, and air. From there, the store uses their mattress magic to customize something special for any customer who has more specific needs.
“Somebody comes in and says, ‘Hey, I want a mattress this firm.’ We try to make it that firm, you know. If they want it extra, extra firm, we can do that too. The same type of mattress, (we’ll) just use a different, heavier steel coil in the spring. Or a high density foam. We can wiggle around to get what you want.” Mike says that customs are the company’s “bread and butter”-- they make custom mattresses for RVs and other vehicles, as well.
When recalling Reno Mattress memories, Mike thought of his dad, who owned the store before Mike. His dad has since passed away, but it sounds to me like they used to have a lot of fun together. “I remember one time we had a customer come in,” Mike chuckles, “and so, you know, we didn't know where my dad went. So, you know, I took the customer upstairs and we flipped over a sheet of foam, and my dad was underneath there, sleeping. So the customer says ‘what's this?’ I said, ‘oh, you know, that's just the owner.’”
With Reno Mattress Company situated right on 4th Street, Mike has seen the effects of the unaffordable housing crisis first hand, and he expressed his frustration to me. “I know people need help,” Mike said with a drip of sadness, “but the city doesn't want to help them.”
“I was on the Fourth Street Corridor for many years,” Mike told me, “and the city wouldn't let us do anything, because they had plans on selling a lot of these businesses that were out of business. Put little shops in here, maybe running an electric train…from Virginia Street all the way into Sparks.” While several new businesses have successfully made a name for themselves on Fourth Street, there is no electric train, and Mike isn’t impressed with where things have gone. “It's just not good,” he said.
Whatever his thoughts on his store’s neighborhood, Mike is proud of his work, and he plans to stick around for a while. As I saw Mike interact with his customers, laughing and joking, it was clear that he loved his job. And he’s good at it, which is important if you’re looking to buy a mattress.
“Instead of pulling somebody out of selling refrigerators and washing machines and telling them, ‘today you're going to go sell mattresses,’ you know, they don't know what the hell they're talking about,” Mike said. “I've been doing this forever. If you want the honest truth, and you want a good mattress and a fair deal, we’re here.”
“I enjoy it,” Mike told me with a smile. “One of these days I'll retire.”
Our Town Reno reporting by Ray Grosser
Thrifting in Midtown Reno, Bad Apple and FreeStyle Versus Online Shopping
In the Biggest Little City of Reno, there are many gems in Midtown, such as thrift stores, which have evolved from being places for affordable clothing to becoming havens for discovering unique and vintage pieces, allowing people to curate their own personal styles. In a town full of broke college students, these secondhand shops are a go-to for looking good on a budget.
Bela Reyes and Audrey Alavi are two UNR journalism students. Bela likes dressing comfortably and chic on a daily basis. But she also has a trendy “cool girl” style. She loves gold hoop earrings and Nike Dunks. And Audrey prefers to have a sleek, trendy, approach to fashion. This means wearing workout sets or having an edgy look with cargo pants, tight long sleeves and slick hairstyles. For Our Town Reno, they compare two thrifting mainstays against shopping online.
FreeStyle Clothing Exchange, 780 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
Audrey - Freestyle Clothing Exchange has to take the cake on trendy, affordable thrift items. Friends can get together and tap into their unique style here, with many options to choose from. The most amazing thing about this thrift store is it’s clean, organized, and edgy. The staff is very selective on items they take in, to get the best outcome for their customers. The variety of clothing is so wide it draws in many new customers daily, with items from jeans to blouses, corsets, slippers, and other footwear.
Bela - Freestyle Clothing Exchange is a Midtown classic. Not only can you buy clothes but you can sell your clothes too and receive 30% of their selling price. Freestyle definitely stays on top of trends, selling brands that are more popular in the current fashion market, such as Ragged Priest and Lululemon. But, they also have some cool vintage jackets and sports sweatshirts. They are more affordable and more popular among college students.
Bad Apple Vntg, 1001 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
Audrey - This hidden gem always catches people off guard with how unique it is. These items are so original, and it’s a very small store. They have rugs, perfumes, candy, hats, shirts, jeans, bottoms, and even a Los Angeles Lakers letterman jacket. This store can be a tad more pricey because it’s so unique. They need the profit more because they aren’t a part of a chain and it’s all special new items and ideas for sale.
Bela - Bad Apple Vntg sits on the corner of the roundabout near Biggest Little Boba Shop. It was my first time in this funky little vintage shop, but they had some hidden gems. The store is not big, but it is filled to the brim with colorful accessories, vintage clothing, and random knick-knacks such as perfume, candles, and keychains. It is a more unconventional and fun thrift shop. They had the vintage Laker varsity jacket on sale for $152, which was very cool but a little out of my budget. While they are a bit more expensive, I would come back for some unique finds.
Whichever store you choose, thrift shopping is the smarter way to have your defined style, on a budget. These stores are essential to have in the heart of Midtown Reno, drawing in loyal customers as well as occasional shoppers and tourists.
Thrift shopping is better than online because you're able to look at the clothing items in real-time. When debating when to purchase something, it’s beneficial to experience the look, touch, appearance, and quality before adding an item to your wardrobe. Although online can be easier for those with tough schedules, or even just if people feel lazy, it's more worth it to shop in person, for many reasons including creating community connections. Thrifting is also the greenest way to get your clothes. It can take years for materials of fast fashion to break down in landfills, while your good finds here in Midtown, if you keep them in good condition, you can resell and keep that vintage look going for someone else on the fashion line down the road.
Reporting and Photos by Bela Reyes and Audrey Alavi
Christmas with the Crawfords at the Bruka Theatre
“Christmas with the Crawfords” now playing at the Bruka Theatre is an unmistakably holiday camp performance.
It's based on the real life of Hollywood actress Joan Crawford who had a topsy turvy career and family life.
The show is sure to make you laugh nonstop with satirical humor throughout and parodies of other ‘Golden Age’ celebrities such as Judy Garland and Katherine Hepburn.
Based loosely on the real radio broadcast of the Crawford family on Christmas Eve, the plot follows the recently washed-up Joan Crawford in an attempt to re-establish relevancy in Hollywood.
However, Joan's dysfunctional family has other ideas and the family feuds are endless.
In this play, the Bruka Theatre embodies the 1940s era with glamorous and glittery atmosphere and costumes.
One can't help but admire the details and quality of some of the actor’s dresses such as the elegant purple dress Joann Crawford wears in the opening or Carmen Miranda's (played by John Wade) over-the-top flashy golden dress and their feathery fruity headpiece.
The bold voices of talented local actors are unforgettable, such as Bradford Ka'ai'ai who plays the lead.
He is a Washoe County School District Theater Arts educator who has been involved in the theater community in Reno since 1994.
The Bruka Theatre will only perform a total of 15 performances, and seating is limited. So make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity to watch a unique performance in a comfortable intimate space. The show runs for 90 minutes and tickets are $35 or $31 with applicable student, senior, or military ID online, or $40 at the door. All main evening performances begin at 7:30 and late admittance will not be allowed. The Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 pm.
Review and photos by Nancy Vazquez
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks Helps Local Schools, Teachers and School Kids
The Assistance League of Reno-Sparks is being extra generous this year to local schools, teachers and school kids. Here's their latest update:
"Last year, Assistance League’s Links to Learning philanthropy purchased an ambulance simulator for the Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology in Reno. We were proud and excited to enable high school students to complete EMT training. Helping these aspiring and dedicated students reach their goal was thrilling. In fact, we loved it so much, we wanted to do it again!
This year we offered large Education Enhancement Awards—up to $10,000 each! —to teacher teams at local schools. According the Links chair, Delores Clewe, “This is a pilot project to see if a large sum of money could create an impact on student learning.” Six awards were recently presented at surprise school visits at Lloyd Diedrichsen, Echo Loder, Robert Mitchell, Pleasant Valley, Mamie Towles, and Jerry Whitehead.
In their applications teachers noted the special needs of many students who lost ground during the pandemic lock-down.
Students are showing deficits in literacy, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), critical thinking, and communication as well as social and emotional learning.
These six $10,000 awards will purchase classroom computers, materials, online literacy resources, books, and even a robot!
The Qtrobot facilitates communication skills, emotional regulation, attention, and positive behaviors with special education students, especially those on the autism spectrum.
These large awards were in addition to $70,000 in smaller awards presented to teachers and librarians at other local schools.
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks’ is funded by donations, grants, and our fabulous Thrift Shop at 1701 Vassar.
Follow this link below to learn more about how you can be part of our efforts to improve the lives of students, seniors, and veterans.
https://www.assistanceleague.org/reno-sparks/
Please contact Karen Alvarado,Beechmont3276@gmail.com, 949-610-9456 or Lorie Schaefer, NVomalorie@gmail.com for further information.
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to helping those in need within our community by serving children, seniors, veterans, and victims of abuse. Your contributions are fully tax-deductible. We are an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff; therefore, your contribution is maximized. All donations stay in Washoe County, benefitting adults and children in need through our philanthropic programs in your local community. Assistance League runs its Thrift Store and Senior Sampler at its headquarters at 1701 Vassar Street, Reno."
Keep Reno Rad Submission, Nov. 27, 2023
An Ode to Skateboarders and their Beloved Believe Plaza
A little over two years ago the downtown location got added skating features to the delight of our vibrant skateboarding community.
The plaza has evolved from an unsanctioned skate park into an officially recognized haven for skateboard enthusiasts who have welcomed the change, even though many other residents have complained.
“I think Reno wanted to make this a distinct landmark in the city,” skateboarder Sam Chicobo said.
“The whale is my favorite part about the skate park,” a recent transplant and avid skateboarder-photographer Austin Samwellson said, gesturing towards the iconic feature that has become a focal point for skaters and visitors alike, even if controversial and unnecessary for other locals.
“It’s a cool little piece of flat land. Coming from somewhere that didn’t have any type of skating, flat land or community like this, I think that would really have to be the best part,” Samwellson added.
One of the skateboarding additions is a pad shaped to mirror the shape of Nevada. Infused with vibrant colors, the rails and ledges contribute to a unique visual aspect of downtown Reno which many skateboarders are grateful for.
Photos and reporting by Eliana Gorov and Jace Ouchida shared with Our Town Reno
Joyce Macway, Volunteering at Good Shepherd's Clothes Closet With a Smile
There are pockets of goodness everywhere in Reno. In the midst of a housing crisis, and costs of living which seem to grow higher by the day, folks in the Reno community (and everywhere) need a little boost sometimes. Those pockets of goodness are here, and ready to give a boost and a smile to whoever is around.
Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet is one of those places. On the outside it may not seem like much— a small storefront on Greenbrae Drive in Sparks. On the inside, however, are racks on racks of clothes, shoes, and other supplies. And the best part– it’s all free for those who need it.
Community members smile as they comb through the aisles, grabbing a nice, new, button-down shirt to feel sharp or a new suit jacket to impress. Before heading out the door, they receive soap, socks, blankets, and any other items that will help them through the month.
The sight of Renoites receiving a helpful service is wonderful in itself. But the real wonder is what, and who, is making it all happen. Since 1996, Good Shepherd's Clothes Closet has run on donations of both money and time. And, according to Joyce Macway, it’s that donated time that really makes the difference.
Joyce, a Sparks native, has volunteered at the GSCC for over fifteen years now. She says that she has always believed in volunteering. She and her family traveled around quite a bit for her husband’s job: from California, to Alabama, to Oklahoma, and all the way to Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Joyce found places to give her time, and her joyful energy, everywhere she went. She has worked at Street Life Ministries in California, with special needs kids in schools, in churches, and in libraries all around the world.
After a long time away, she landed back in Reno, Nevada. And after hearing about Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet, she stopped by to see what it was all about– and keeps coming back to help. “It helps me keep my life in perspective,” she says. “I lost my mom. I lost my dad. Struggled with my sisters over the estate. But this kept me grounded.”
Joyce has also made some lifelong friends during her time at GSCC. “I just lost one,” she says, with sadness in her voice. “She passed away at the age of 94, and she probably volunteered at the clothes closet (for) 20 years. I used to refer to her as my mom, my grandma, and my aunt all rolled into one,” Joyce smiles as she remembers her friend. “She was the neatest lady.”
At Good Shepherd’s, clients can come in every thirty days. At the front of the store, they pick up a laminated piece of paper– a list of items that they can take from the clothes closet, each month. This system is in place so the volunteers can ensure that they have enough supplies for everyone. But their kindness is bigger than lists.
“We have had fire victims come in here,” Joyce recalls. “And usually I just tell them, ‘get what you need. We're not gonna follow the list today. Just get what you need.’” Joyce says that the same goes for immigrants and refugees who arrive in Reno with nothing to their name. “‘Today, get what you need. Next time you come we'll follow the list.’”
Joyce and the other volunteers at GSCC welcome people from all over, and from all different situations. Joyce remembers one day, recently, that she helped someone who had just left a domestic violence situation. “They had on what they had,” she says. “They were so grateful. And it was just so nice to be able to help them with that.”
“We get lots of grateful people through here.” Joyce says. Sometimes clients want to share their stories with Joyce and whoever else is around. Joyce recently celebrated with a client who was four weeks sober. “Sometimes people ask for hugs,” she smiles. “I give it to them. When they walk through that door, I want them to be happy to be here. I want them to have a good shopping experience.”
If someone wants to volunteer at Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet, there is always a need for donated time. Volunteers work at the front desk, helping clients find what they need, chatting with folks who may need a listening ear, and organizing the racks. And if a volunteer isn’t feeling too social, they can work in the back: organizing supplies, hanging clothes, listening to music. There is something for everyone to do.
Joyce wrote a few essays, reflecting on the time she has spent volunteering– at GSCC and everywhere else. She writes about the benefits of volunteering: “I learned, first hand, that the benefits of volunteering are good for your mind as well as your body.” She describes that after she began spending time at the clothes closet, her “problems didn’t seem too big anymore.”
One of the essays Joyce wrote is titled “My Happy Place”. “Volunteering at the Good Shepherd Clothes Closet is my ‘happy place,’” she writes. “The hours I spend working are helping me deal with the parts of my life that haven’t turned out as expected. I love the interaction with clients as I bag up their items. I like the feeling that I am making a difference in their lives because I spoke with them, shook hands with them, hugged them, made them smile, laugh or shared ‘the Lord be with you.’”
Joyce and all of the volunteers at Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet are creating one of Reno’s pockets of goodness. They are re-creating it every day, over and over, as they share their time, smiles, and hugs with people in need of kindness. When the clothes closet first opened 27 years ago, they served a dozen clients a day. Now, that number is over one hundred. According to Joyce, it’s the volunteers that make GSCC successful. “They all believe in paying it forward,” she says. “We're all blessed. And we're all doubly blessed. To be here, to be able to do it.”
Our Town Reno reporting and photos by Ray Grosser
Nichim, Bringing Chiapas, Guanajuato and Michoacan Fashion to Reno
Irlanda Igareda has just completed one year of living in Reno. From Sahuayo, Michoacán Mexico (known as the huarache capital of the world), Igareda brought over her dream of starting up her own business. Nichim an artisan boutique has now been operating for six months on 4840 Mill St. and Igareda thanks the city of Reno for being so cooperative.
Nichim means flower in the Tzeltal language. The Tzeltals are an indigenous and Chapaneca ethnic group. “When I began to have this concern about opening this store, I said well, if I am going to sell so much clothing from Chiapas, and if these Indigenous people are going to share with me what they do, for me to come and bring it here, I wanted to make it something recognizable and significant,” Irlanda Igareda explains of opening her store called Nichim on Mill Street.
Igareda sells embroidery pieces from Chiapas, leather bags and hats from León, Guanajuato, as well as huaraches from her home city Sahuayo in Michoacán among other artisan goods.
What makes Nichim unique from other artisan shops is that Igareda carries the best products from each Mexican state such as sombreros from Guanajuato which is known as the sombrero capital of the world. Igareda also makes sure to know the history of her items.
A few of the huarache designs Igareda sells as well as her artisanal Lelé doll which Igareda takes with her to all her events.
For this interview, Igareda wore a blue traditional dress and explained its origins.
“Look at this outfit that I'm wearing today, it's the Cohuina outfit from the Zoque Coiteco festival. There in Coita, which is located in the State of Chiapas, Mexico and this outfit that I'm wearing today is of a woman, now it is part of a dance, the dance of the cohuitecas,” she said.
Not only that but she knows where her products are coming from and who made them. “My favorite part is when they ask me what part this is from. Every time a person asks me the origin of anything that I have here in stock I love it because I can share absolutely everything that had to happen, for the hat, for the bag, so that the blouse would reach here. That way they obviously fall in love with the products because they know that they are made with love, that they come from people who perhaps have been dedicated to this since they were children,” Igareda says.
While Igareda can always be spotted wearing traditional wear and it’s become a part of her brand image, she’s just being true to herself. She loves wearing traditional outfits because they hold huge significance in Mexican culture. Most of this traditional wear is often passed down from generation to generation and can show to the world where a person’s roots are from.
“I think that as a Hispanic the most important thing, what we should never forget, are our roots. Every Hispanic comes here with a dream, above all, the message that I always share, not just for Hispanic Heritage Month, but always. The message of the empowerment of women in this country and in its society. That each woman realizes that she totally has the right and the ability to grow in any field of work and, in this way grow her economy to have a better quality of life,” Igareda says.
Our Town Reno reporting and photos by Nancy Vazquez
The Ferrari Farms Pumpkin Trove in Reno
The Ferrari Farms pumpkin patch has been a family favorite in Reno for over two decades. As James Reno reports, their fall festival runs every day from September 30th to October 31st and has plenty to offer.
Right by the entrance, people were assembling near a booth to buy tickets for the corn maze and take part in a raffle.
One of them, Kenzie has only lived in Reno for a few years but has made it a yearly tradition to attend the pumpkin patch.
“I really love Ferrari Farms and I’ve been going there for a few years now and everyone is super nice, it’s super organized, it’s really fun and I would say my favorite part is the petting zoo, it’s really fun,” she explained.
On top of the petting zoo where cows could be seen eating corn, and other activities, there are multiple food and drink vendors at the pumpkin patch that seem to get a lot of business.
The owner of the TapWagon in Reno, one of the vendors at the event, Cody Wagner, loves the festival as well.
“I think I started in 2018 was our first year so been here for a couple of years. It’s always good business out here, they treat us really well, the owners do, so yeah I can’t complain it’s fun, as long as the weather holds up,” Wagner said.
A common theme among the workers and vendors was that the owner, Frank Ferrari was a great person who treated everyone well.
Ferrari, who runs around checking everything is running smoothly, took a few minutes to explain the festival’s origins.
“We started the pumpkin patch 26 years ago and we’ve been growing ever since, the farm has been in our family since 1912. We do the hay rides, corn maze, corn walk, we have a country store, we have vendors, we have animals, all kinds of stuff like that. We even do movies under the stars and a haunted maze, but yeah it’s just a lot of fun, and a lot of families enjoy it,” Ferrari said.
Reporting by James Reno
Bonds Brought Together Through Dance at Art in Motion
Kimberly Hosford leads one of her recreational classes through rehearsal at the Art in Motion Dance Studio at 121 Los Altos Pkwy.
Kimberly Hosford, the Director of Competition Teams at the Art in Motion Dance Studio, taps and dances along with her students during rehearsals. Teaching both competitive and recreational dance, Hosford and other instructors have helped build a culture through inclusiveness and team morale.
This culture has been built since the studio opened in 2003. Hosford has been with the studio since 2011, starting as a dancer herself in high school.
Hosford says the culture has gotten more serious over time, especially with the growth of competition teams. It started out as a place to come and dance recreationally, and while that’s still present, dancers have also gotten into competing.
“Once we got some kids that wanted to take it a little bit more seriously, and maybe even professionally and compete, the culture just became a bit more serious,” Hosford said. “Dancers started coming hours a day, many times a week.”
Balancing the differences between competition and recreation can get tricky. Hosford said it’s easy to get swept away in the feeling of wanting to win, so it’s important to remind the dancers that having fun matters, too.
“It's going to take them the furthest and it's also what the audience responds to the best,” Hosford said.” “So I think just reminding the kids of that and seeing them grow as artists is most important.”
Of course, competing in something is never easy. There’s going to be moments of defeat, heartache, and feeling upset in general.
Lauren Tito, the studio’s administrative assistant who also teaches classes, says making the dancers feel supported and heard can help boost issues of low confidence or self-esteem.
“I have found that the kids do better and feel better when they know someone is on their side,” Tito said. “When they feel supported in this way, they are able to focus more on the positives and the competition without the negativity dragging them down.”
When spirits are high, staff at Art in Motion say they separate themselves from other studios with team bonding and a warm, welcoming energy.
Tito says it’s easy to hear about the culture of other local studios, and they aren’t always the best stories. Any team or group will have their moments, but Tito says the support and love the teachers and dancers have is like no other.
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be,” Tito said. “We, too, have our ups and downs, but the positives always outweigh the negatives.”
Jayden Frost, a dancer turned teacher at Art in Motion, agrees with how enjoyable the studio is. She’s seen it from both a student and teacher perspective and knows how some studios interact differently.
“You'll see a teacher from another studio, just screaming at the kids, and then I feel like our studio at camp we really get together and we're super close during camp,” Frost said. “It's just much more hospitable.”
All three agree that they’re beyond proud of the growth Art in Motion has produced, and what the future holds.
“I think my very first year we have seven dances registered for competition, and my last year we had like 32, somewhere around there,” Frost said. “It's just really cool seeing how everyone has grown and knowing that I’m with it means a lot.”
“It has been beautiful to watch so many young dancers become amazing adults,” Hosford said. “Also becoming amazing human beings and even growing up to teach and do what I do. It just blows my mind. It's really special.”
The goal these teachers and dancers have is to continue to grow their studio. With more expansion and dancers comes an even stronger culture.
“I feel like Art in Motion has something really special that a lot of other studios don't, and that is how close we are,” Frost said. “I can only imagine that if it were to keep growing it would just get closer and closer, and we've just been getting better every year, so I'm looking forward to seeing that.”
As class ends and the dancers pack up, the bonding still carries on. Teachers will hype up how well the rehearsals went as they leave the building. Dancers will linger around after class, either getting food and eating together or just hanging out in the parking lot.