January 2018

Two of Reno’s greatest business leaders have teamed up to collaborate on a spot in Carson City, Nevada. Mark Estee, owner of three local restaurants, and Mark Trujillo, owner of Hub Coffee Roasters, have created The Union. The eatery, taphouse, and coffee shop opened at the end of June 2017 on Main Street in Carson.

Besides providing the quality of Estee’s locally-sourced food and Trujillo’s coffee, The Union also provides a large beer selection, thus covering all bases of a true Reno-Carson area restaurant.

During our first visit, my friend and I took a seat at the pizza bar, where we could see the front-of-house chefs throwing their pizzas into the wood oven. The environment felt laid-back, cozy, and inviting. Guests shared food with friends and family while servers refilled their beer glasses, keeping the atmosphere vibrant.

We felt encouraged by the menu to order a few beers, crispy shrimp and sweet peppers, and the roasted heirloom squash to start, a veggie burger, and the blue pear pizza. By the time we had finished our appetizers, I only managed to take a few bites of my burger before I threw in the towel and had our server box it up for me. The portion sizes are larger, fair to their prices, and well-worth the expense.

The Union offers pizzas, pastas, different meat entrees, seasonal sides, burgers and sandwiches, and of course, dessert. Mark Estee is well-known for creating the budino, made of chocolate cookie crunch, salted caramel pudding, and whipped cream. At his previous restaurant, Campo, the budino won the best dessert award for three years running.

Estee, Trujillo, and their other two business partners deliver a quality Reno-Carson experience through their food, coffee, and beer at The Union. Whether it’s an early-morning coffee run or a family dinner, locals won’t want to miss out on this local experience.

It’s not often that college roommates get along. Someone forgets to do the dishes, they leave their clothes in the laundry, their personalities clash. The list goes on as to why so many people have issues with their roommates. Conflict is an expected, additional cost to the soul-crushing rent that so many students face. Students pay the bills and accept that an issue will probably occur.

PJ Wilkerson and Laura Wozniak are the anomaly to this norm.

Wilkerson and Wozniak have gotten along so well that they have formed a new, up and coming band in Reno, Nevada. Their experimental sounds along with their spunky personalities have formed Casio 210, a name inspired by the shared synthesizer found at a local thrift store.

Wilkerson was originally in another band and would invite Wozniak over to preview new music and expand on the present tunes. It was never serious until Wilkerson found himself lacking some band members. Wozniak was immediately the first choice to form a new duo.

In early November, Casio 210 played their first show in the back room of Bibo Coffee on Record Street south of campus. They showed up sporting the iconic three white stripes of classic Adidas attire.

“We wanted full Adidas tracksuits, but those are pricey. We needed to make it weird though. We take our performance seriously but not our appearance. We had an idea and wanted to have fun with it,” said Wozniak.

Wilkerson and Wozniak walked in with subtle confidence and excitement; a hint at their forthcoming brilliance. Despite it being their first gig together, the duo stunned the crowd with an aura of expertise.

I remember watching the crowd as Casio 210 played that night. Towards the front there were a few people subtly dancing to every rise and fall of each song. Others were joined together watching the performance, completely immersed. It’s rare that I ever see a crowd so obviously absorbed in the sound of the space.

There’s a strange moment in the intro of each of their songs where they capture the ambience of any room and fill it with livelihood. With the various tiers to each individual song, a sense of curiosity fills the space as the listeners wonder how such intricate melodies can come from only two individuals. It’s a testament to the influence of technology on contemporary, abstract music.

A month later, as I sat in the kitchen of their house, Wilkerson eagerly played a new mix he had made the night before. Despite not recording yet, the duo has continued to create new music. For a lot of young artists, the creation of music seems to simply be a hobby. I immediately realized the utter dedication to the craft as I sat across the table and watched Wilkerson’s immense enthusiasm for the first draft of their newest song.

“We both write pretty evenly. PJ creates a lot of the cool instrumentals, and I write the lyrics,” said Wozniak.

During a weekend in mid-November, the duo travelled to Boise for a quick weekend trip before the fast approaching stress of finals. A break from the mundanity of college life, Wilkerson and Wozniak filled the weekend meeting new people, listening to music, and exploring the uncommon choice of an ideal urban landscape.

“We went to Boise and loved it. We’re going to try to play at a music festival there soon. Boise is our New York City,” joked Wilkerson.

The status as roommates has become a disguised benefit for the duo. With Wilkerson quickly approaching the end to his college career and Wozniak applying for med school, the duo is faced with numerous priorities above playing music. Yet, as roommates, their availability thankfully increases.

“PJ has all of his equipment set up in his room, so he’ll just go ‘hey are you free right now?’ and then we’ll practice pretty much whenever we can,” said Wozniak.

“If we weren’t roommates, I don’t think we’d be a band,” said Wilkerson.

The duo aims to play more local shows through the winter and spring. A common venue they will perform at will be The Holland Project.

With students from over 70 countries studying at the University of Nevada, Reno, the campus is often coined as being diverse, filled with ideas from people from all over the world. With help from the University Studies Abroad Consortium, or USAC, many UNR students find themselves in exciting new places with new ideologies, cultures, and experiences at their fingertips. So, how does the culture shock of foreign students traveling to America differ from American students traveling abroad?

Firstly, one may ask, what is American culture?

“Americans are hard workers,” said Kendall Perry, an American-born journalism student at UNR. “American culture certainly can get a bad wrap, but when it comes down to it, we have come far as a nation to work hard and accept one another. I know we’re not there yet, but we may be on the right path. We celebrate everything, we laugh a lot, and we are happy people.”

Yet, American culture can also be associated with more negative connotations.

“American culture is depicted as unhealthiness, selfishness, and general racism,” one political science major said, “The entire nation was built upon the disrespect of the earth, taking of things that weren’t theirs, inequality to the highest degree, and religion.”

As the American experience differs for each individual, similarities are voiced by many of the students studying here from other countries.

Noris Buitrago is a senior studying at the University of Nevada, Reno. After traveling to the United States for her studies, she found stark differences between beauty expectations between American women and the women of her home country of Panama.

“I think beauty and attractiveness mean something a little different in my country,” Buitrago said. “Beauty is also accompanied by intellectual knowledge and good qualities. Women are not focused on television, flashing at them on commercials or appearing on magazines or catalogues. If a woman is physically attractive but also profesional, she will definitely get a lot of attention.”

Yet, this cultural divide is further explained when clothing is brought into the scene. As fashion is a major staple to each culture, the shock in arriving in a new place can be overwhelming depending on the severity in which one feels the difference is from their native land.

“Most of Americans are really open minded,” Buitrago said, “We are a little more modest. But you know, it is part of expressing their self and culture, and we all have to respect that.”

However, there is a significant amount of pressure to adapt to a new culture once stepping foot inside its realm. With some adaptations being seen as appropriation and others being seen as stripping oneself of one’s own roots, is there a balance that can be found?

Zoe Fitch is a student at UNR from Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands in the English Channel and a self-governing British Crown dependency. Fitch is often found in the gym or on the track as one of the most successful international student track and field athletes in UNR’s history. She, too, found significant changes in women’s beauty routines, fashion choices, and overall expectations of beauty and success. However, these standards, mixed with culture shock in general, never phased her.

“I don’t think you should ever feel pressured to adapt to a new culture,” Fitch said, “If you change your style and beauty regime it should be because you want to, not because someone told you that you should. People should accept you the way you are, especially if you are an incomer and unique.”

Indeed, USAC does everything in their power to prepare their students for the kind of challenges they will meet before they even begin to pack. With available resources being “Culture Shock and Immersion” and even “Tips for Cultural Adjustment for Parents of Study Abroad Students”, programs are in place to help their American students feel the most prepared when traveling abroad.

During the USAC orientation in October of 2017, examples were shown to elucidate differences in what may be shocking to one person and normal to another. One point illustrated that Thai culture often works around issues, whereas American culture goes headfirst into a problem, both yielding different but equally successful solutions. In addition, one student who traveled to Italy for a summer said a large culture shock for her was when she discovered that most Italians do not use a dryer, but rather, hang their clothes on a line to dry. In contrast, one student from Afghanistan quipped that she was shocked she could speak to a man whilst looking him in the eye in America.

“Sometimes culture shock is not so and can be just discrimination or prejudice,” said Merle Ocampo, a successful nurse originally from Hernani, Philippines. “In healthcare, I was the only Filipino, and just because you were the only brown kid they thought you didn’t know anything. Now, people will say, ‘May I talk to the supervisor?’ I say, ‘I am the supervisor.’”

With the Office of International Students and Scholars reporting that students from six different continents are currently studying at UNR, many feel campus life is becoming more diverse as the years pass.

“It is important to remember, above all things, respect,” said Chen Wei, a second-year geology student from Beijing, China. “You don’t have to adapt or not adapt, just feel the soil you stand on and the blood in your veins. The balance will find you.”

From the grocery store slot machines to the brothels and strip clubs, Nevada is a state known for its somewhat immoral nature.  USA Today and thestreet.com reported in 2014 that Nevada housed 265 active casinos. The state with the second highest number of casinos? Colorado, with 41. In many states, gambling is only allowed on boats or tribal land. According to statista.com the number of slot machines in Nevada was at 166,860 in 2017 and has been decreasing from a high of 213,800 since 2000.

Although prostitution is legal, many are unaware of the fact that illegal human trafficking is a serious problem here as well. One non-profit organization in Reno named Awaken is working to put an end to this issue while raising awareness in the community. As Melissa Holland, co-founder and executive director of Awaken, said, “We work to try to provide choice for women and escape for children from commercial sexual exploitation as well as educate the community and train professionals on how to work with this population.” Women and children can seek temporary shelter, case management, and other resources at the organization’s drop-in center and long-term assistance is also provided to those who need it.

In order to increase awareness in the community, members of the Awaken team hold presentations at local schools, recruit businesses in the area to support the cause, and train professionals to recognize the signs of sex trafficking so that they can work with victims appropriately.

Exactly how prevalent is sex trafficking in this area? Awaken partnered with CreightonUniversity last year to find out. After four months of monitoring one website used to buy and sell sex, they found that an average of 1,500 women and children are sold every month in the Reno/Tahoe area. According to Holland, the vast majority of these exchanges, about 900-1,000 of the 1,500, happen in Reno and Sparks. At awakenreno.org there is a map depicting these numbers and showing all the locations noted by the study. The page even cites specific locations such as the Reno-Tahoe airport and Circus-Circus hotel where these exchanges reportedly occur. Holland explained that the legalization of brothels in the state contributes to the high rate of illegal sex trafficking by increasing demand. She said, “when the demand goes up you need to increase supply and that will come in all illegal facets and legal facets as well, and the supply in this equation is women and girls.”

According to the Awaken website, the organization has helped over 250 women so far. This has been done through helping victims further their education, find jobs, receive case management, and find refuge at their drop-in center. They have also reached out to about 10,000 community members including 1,600 youth. On top of this they have been able to train more than 600 professionals to better serve those in need.

Part of their mission of increasing awareness has to do with changing the common mindset that the sex industry is not necessarily harmful. This spans from modern porn to sex trafficking which, as Holland said, “Actually pervades and permeates into the whole culture.” She went on to talk about the stereotypes many place on sex workers. While nearly everyone believes that the trafficking of minors is wrong and upsetting, once they come of age the perspective tends to change.

“People just need to really start to understand that word choice,” Holland said, “We’ve got some [victims] in their 50s, and yet their abuse also started when they were nine years old.We disconnect compassion and empathy at that shift of age. We start to look and assume choice and we often attach shame and judgment when we see them later in their years.” She also went on to add that the average prostitute enters the field at 14 years old.

Awaken has started a powerful movement in this community, but they cannot change the community alone. Luckily, everyone is capable of helping and contributing to this cause. First, we can all work to change our perception of sex workers. Many of them have been forced or coerced into the profession. Aside from this, there are plenty of other ways to get involved. By donating, volunteering, attending events, and even shopping Amazon Smile anyone interested in the cause can help. University students can also join, learn more about, or attend an event put on by Students to Abolish Sex Slavery, or SASS, a club on campus focused on fighting sex trafficking in the community.

“College students are phenomenal advocates,” Holland said, “They pick a subject and they go all in.” Through spreading the word and telling more people about this issue, we can all do our part to pitch in and make a difference.

So, let’s start simple. What is minimalism? Minimalism is often characterized by the idea of living with very few possessions. It can often be seen in videos online of people with very little possessions. For example: one of each utensil, one bowl, a couple shirts and maybe two pairs of shoes.

Although that approach works wonderfully for some people, it isn’t always realistic for others. The core of minimalism is to put your values first and get rid of things you don’t need in your life. It often seems like these days many people believe money can buy you happiness. The more things you have the better your life will be. Keeping up on all the latest fashion trends, buying all the latest gadgets, swiping up all the latest makeup that comes on the shelves, with these you’ll find happiness.

Minimalism challenges the belief that money can buy you happiness by getting you to refocus your life around your values and appreciating your experiences and your relationships with others. Minimalism helps you declutter your life by taking away distractions you don’t need and replacing them with more deep and meaningful things. Anyone can benefit from a more minimalist lifestyle.

The Benefits of Minimalism

1. More time By switching to a more minimalist lifestyle you will have more time to yourself. You don’t have to spend any extra time trying to find something you lost or spend so much time cleaning your room. By owning less, you don’t have to spend as much time cleaning and organizing. You’ll have more free time to do whatever you like and you’ll already know where everything is.
2. Stress Reduction Less clutter means less stress. I’m sure you all can relate to how relaxing it is to come home to an organized and clean space. If you’re like me and live in a tiny apartment with limited space, it’s easy to understand how stressful it is to never have enough space for all your stuff. Living in such a small place has taught me to downsize and only keep things I really need.
3. Save Money By switching to a more minimalist lifestyle you get to save a ton of money. Instead of going out and blowing all your money as soon as you get paid you can save your money for only essentials, such as replacing your old phone, maybe upgrading your TV, or putting it aside in savings. You get to spend your money on higher quality items. Not only can you save for better, more useful things, you can also save your money and put it towards experiences rather than objects. You can go try out that new restaurant you’ve been dying to try, or check out a concert that’s coming to town. You will have a lot more fun and more memorable moments when your money goes to experiences, not objects.
4. Personal Growth Minimalism lets you have more time for things that matter to you. Less stuff means living a less stress filled life and more money means less financial stress. By refocusing your life around values, experiences, and relationships and less on physical objects you will learn to appreciate life so much more. There’s so much more to life than the latest and greatest items to buy. You will learn how experiences and personal connections with those around you can truly change your perspective on life. You will have great stories to tell and amazing people by your side.

How to Achieve a More Minimalist Lifestyle

1. Go through your closet One of the first and easiest steps you can do would be simply going through your closet. I know it’s tough to get rid of things, but try to be realistic with what you wear and what you don’t. Realistically you’ll hardly notice any of the things you never wore once they’re gone, and you’ll get more closet space. You could sell them and make a little extra cash on the side, or you can donate whatever clothes and shoes you decide to get rid of, and help someone in need.
2. Go through your computer Minimalism can be brought to every aspect of your life, even your computer. If you haven’t, take the time to organize everything that’s on your computer. I suggest you give it a try. File, sort, and organize everything whether it’s for school, work, or personal, organize everything. You will feel so much better when every time you get on your computer you’re greeted with a clean, organized desktop. Even go through your emails and unsubscribe from all those pesky ads that just love to pop up. Also, uninstall apps or programs you never use that just take up space.
3. Go through your household Besides just your room go through your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and even the laundry room. You can find there’s tons of things you don’t need scattered around the house. My biggest problem has always been coffee mugs. I just love coffee mugs, but realistically I don’t need 10 coffee mugs taking up a whole shelf in my already tiny kitchen. Even go through the pantry to see if there’s anything just sitting that can be tossed or donated. You’ll be looking at things and wonder why on earth you ever bothered to spend money on them.
4. Make it a goal to save money After you’ve cleared the place, make it a goal to start saving money. Try to not waste your money on unnecessary things that way you can put your money towards experiences, or put it in your savings for later or even start an emergency fund. I mean who would complain about having more money.
5. Make it a goal to change Besides just cleaning out the house and learning how to handle your money you need to make it a goal to change. A goal is to pay closer attention to the things that matter to you. Spend more time with people you care about, build stronger relationships. Work on building fond memories you can look back upon. Learning how to appreciate life is so important for overall happiness and well being. The point of this journey is to improve yourself and your overall happiness. Life is short, so we need to make the most of it.