Nevada
Nevada needs election integrity. Who will step up?
To paraphrase the 1960s saying, “suppose they gave a war and nobody came” — suppose we had a November 2024 election and many Nevadans didn’t bother to vote? Or even worse, what if many of those who did don’t accept the results?
Free and fair elections have been the cornerstone of America’s republic. As the saying goes, “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” It’s also been suggested that it’s not the voting that’s democracy — it’s the counting that is.
Questioning election legitimacy for a quarter-century
For most of the U.S.’s 236-year history of presidential elections, the results have been uncontested and the transition of power from one individual or political party to another has been relatively smooth. Lately, not so much.
Concern about the integrity of American elections didn’t just start with Donald Trump’s election in 2016, which opponent Hillary Clinton called “illegitimate,” or the most recent presidential contest in 2020, where President Trump has refused to accept an election defeat. The contemporary tipping point that challenged voting integrity was the 2000 Bush v. Gore Florida vote count. This contested election deepened party polarization over the rules of the game and began the current erosion of trust in the American electoral process.
Growing concerns about the security and inclusiveness of the voting process is deeply dividing Americans. Both major political parties share the blame for this. Politicians representing the two major parties have managed to make matters worse.
Anyone who’s been reading “Memo from the Middle” for the past three years knows I’m not quick to judge one side over the other on most issues. But in the case of the situation surrounding America’s election integrity, I think both political parties are guilty of eroding the public’s trust. It’s a serious matter for the survival of freedom. As Founding Father and second president of the U.S. John Adams warned, “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”
Consequences of a principled stand
If it’s true that America is on the verge of the self-inflicted demise of democracy — then I’d say an “intervention” is needed, and it’s needed now.
Let’s start with the Republicans, my previous party. Their all-but-certain presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has a history of denying the outcome of elections he’s previously lost. Before becoming the GOP nominee in 2016, Trump accused fellow Republican Ted Cruz of stealing the Iowa caucus race he entered, tweeting at the time, “Ted Cruz didn’t win Iowa, he stole it,” and later, “Based on the fraud committed by Sen. Cruz, either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified.”
The former president went on to win the Republican nomination and the presidency in 2016, losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton but winning the Electoral College. After his election, he began making claims of fraud more regularly.
“I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally,” he claimed.
Trump then went on to announce to his supporters months before his campaign against Joe Biden, including at Nevada rallies, that “the only way we’re going to lose this election (in 2020) is if the election is rigged.” It’s a belief Trump and his party faithful have maintained to this day, and which prompted the large Capitol Hill protest that got out of hand on Nov. 6, 2020.
No court in the U.S. has substantiated the former president’s allegations of significant voter fraud in 2020, and Nevada’s Secretary of State at the time, Barbara Cegavske — herself a conservative Republican — said after investigating Trump’s charges her office found no evidentiary support for his allegations of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Cegavske was subsequently shown the door by the Nevada GOP for the principled stand she took.
What can we agree on?
Presidential candidates of both parties have historically been gracious in accepting electoral defeat. One of the hallmarks of America’s representative democracy has been the smooth transition of power by the two major parties. Today’s polarizing populism, embodied by former President Trump, makes that proposition seem less likely. As author Steven Levitsky has written in “How Democracies Die,” “Democracies may die at the hands not of generals but of elected leaders — presidents or prime ministers who subvert the very process that brought them to power … More often, though, democracies erode slowly, in barely visible steps.”
A number of those steps have also been taken by the other political party, the Democrats. With the benefit of one-party control of Carson City in 2021, Democrats pushed through election “reforms” that Capitol political observers knew to favor Democrats’ partisan agenda. Cegavske wasn’t consulted, nor was she invited to the table to testify in any meetings. Slam-dunk partisan politics were on full display when Democrats powered through legislation that enshrined mail-in ballots and “ballot harvesting” into law during a special session of the Legislature. Provisions by Cegavske to further regulate voting security were rebuffed in a “legal” or “rigged” manner, depending on your perspective. The nonpartisan magazine Governing reported that the mail-in voting method “tends to favor Democratic candidates.”
Despite the convenience of mail-in ballots, problems are surfacing, as voiced recently by interim Washoe County election chief Cari-Ann Burgess, who told the RGJ, “It’s going to be terrible on our elections,” referring to the U.S. Postal Service’s plans to move mail-sorting operations to Sacramento before ballots are returned to Reno for official counting. Imagine the stink conspiracy-minded individuals are going to make over this not-so-brilliant move.
The one issue insuring voting integrity that you would think most Nevadans would agree on would be voter I.D. And in fact, they do. A poll commissioned by the Nevada Independent in 2023 found that “74% of Nevadans (including 62% of Democrats) supported requiring voters to show identification when they cast their ballot.”
Even so, Democratic leadership in Nevada has vehemently opposed any voter I.D. measures, with Attorney General Aaron Ford saying, “I can tell you this, that this attorney general will not abide by an unconstitutional act like voter ID here in this state.” More than 30 other states have photo ID requirements in their laws, and even former Democratic President Jimmy Carter’s Center has said “requiring a photo ID either for in-person or absentee balloting can be an important safeguard for election integrity, and the Supreme Court has ruled that such a requirement is not unconstitutional.”
Democrats in Nevada have rejected serious debate on the matter. Like Donald Trump, who refuses to accept any electoral outcome other than his “winning big” as a possibility, Democrats appear to want to preserve any political advantage they have — when given the power to do so.
Turn the tide
No constitutional office in Nevada is more important to the nonpartisan integrity of the election process than the Secretary of State. Current Democrat officeholder Cisco Aguilar received the support of many Republicans, and former ones like myself, who endorsed him in the hopes he would act in a nonpartisan way when it came to election integrity in Nevada.
Aguilar and others, both Democrat and Republican, have the chance to demonstrate they can become statesmen, and not mere partisans. Between now and the November election, and especially during the next legislative session, Aguilar in particular has the chance to turn the tide of divisiveness.
Voting should be easy. Cheating should be hard. Nevada can do better. Please send me your thoughts at tahoeboy68@gmail.com.
“Memo from the Middle” is an opinion column written by RGJ columnist Pat Hickey, a member of the Nevada Legislature from 1996 to 2016.
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BOULDER CITY (KTNV) — Hundreds of veterans, families, elected officials, and community members gathered at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City to honor fallen service members on Memorial Day.
Ceremonies were planned around Nevada as communities paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Thousands of flags were placed near the graves of fallen service members as part of the annual tradition.
Gov. Joe Lombardo attended the ceremony, speaking to a room full of attendees who solemnly heard him address the sacrifices made by military members and their families.
“Behind every headstone is a story — a son, a daughter, a husband, a wife, a parent, a friend. These were lives of promise, lives of courage, lives of service,” Lombardo said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Festival season is back in full force in northwestern Nevada.
The Reno River Festival is downtown this weekend, and so are the Biggest Little Skate Jam and the Legion Sports Fest. Carson City has a rib festival and a beer festival, Fallon is hosting a chalk art festival, and Truckee’s pride festival kicks off this Friday.
And then there’s the jam-packed show schedule, with a Broadway tour visit by “Shucked” and appearances by Alabama Shakes, Colt Ford, Yellowcard, Brian Kilmeade and Kyle Gass Company.
In all, there are a whopping 46 unique events this week in the region. Here’s a look at the events, concerts and weather for the week of May 25-31, 2026.
Memorial Day events in Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony, May 25: The Nevada Department of Veterans Services and the Nevada Veterans Coalition will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 14 Veterans Way in Fernley. Volunteers are being sought to place flags at 8:30 a.m. on May 23. For details, visit veterans.nv.gov.
South Lake Tahoe American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony, May 25: American Legion Post 795 will conduct a Memorial Day observance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. It’s also seeking volunteers for flag placement on Friday and flag removal on Tuesday. It’s at 2748 Young St. in South Lake Tahoe, California. For details, visit visitlaketahoe.com.
Memorial Day | Remember and Honor, May 25: Scout Troop 266 hosts this observance from 5 to 6 p.m. at Trails End Cemetery, 520 Fairway Drive in Tahoe City, California. For details, visit tahoeeventscalendar.com.
Reno-Tahoe events, May 25-31
Rockin’ Ribfest, May 25: Start your summer with a plateful of ribs, and check out the arts and crafts vendors, live music, beer garden and more. It’s happening from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Casino Fandango, 3800 S. Carson St. in Carson City. For details, visit casinofandango.com.
“Last Lists of My Mad Mother,” May 25: Dot’s the primary caregiver for Ma, who’s battling Alzheimer’s, while Sis chimes in from afar. This theatrical work wraps up Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Restless Artists Theatre, 295 20th St. in Sparks. For details and tickets, visit rattheatre.com.
Reno Aces vs. Sacramento River Cats, May 26-31: Reno’s Minor League Baseball team hosts the top affiliate of the San Francisco Giants in a six-game set. Highlights include Princess Night and postgame fireworks on Friday, Harry Potter Night on Saturday and $1.50 hot dogs on Sunday. Games are at Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave. For details and tickets, visit renoaces.com.
Cirque Alice, May 26-31: The spring/summer variety show for the Eldorado combines acrobatics, dance and music for a retelling of “Alice in Wonderland.” Performances start at 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Showroom, Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N. Virginia St. Tickets are $25-$75. Details at caesars.com/silver-legacy-reno.
“Shucked,” May 26-31: The Tony Award-winning musical comedy about a farming community grappling with a crop failure will pay a six-day, eight-performance visit to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. For details, visit pioneercenter.com.
P.U.N.K. Poetry Slam, May 26: Good Luck Macbeth hosts this monthly poetry slam event, presented by Poetry Under No King. It starts at 7 p.m. at 124 W. Taylor St. For details and tickets, visit renolittletheater.org.
“The Lark,” May 27-31: This dramatization of the life of Joan of Arc wraps up this week at Brüka Theatre with five performances — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. It’s at 99 N. Virginia St. For details and tickets, visit bruka.org.
Truckee Pride Week, May 29-June 7: A week-plus of events begins Friday night, with this weekend’s events including fashion making, a hike through Shirley Canyon and a 5K fun run. For the full schedule and details, visit truckeepride.org.
Reno River Festival, May 29-31: Both local and national artists of varied genres are part of this festival every year. Headliners include two national alternative rock bands: The Calling on Friday and Everclear on Saturday. It takes place at 1 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive. Passes range from $20 for all three days to $200 for a VIP three-day pass. Details at renoriverfestival.com.
“Sweat,” May 29-31: It’s the debut weekend for this Pulitzer Prize-winning play about friends and co-workers facing factory layoffs and picket lines. It’s happening at Reno Little Theater, 147 E. Pueblo St. For details and tickets, visit renolittletheater.org.
Reno-Tahoe Odyssey, May 29-30: Running teams will tackle a 178-mile loop from downtown Reno, through Truckee, around the west shore of Lake Tahoe, through Carson City and Virginia City during this round-the-clock footrace. For details, visit renotahoeodyssey.com.
Fallon Chalk Festival, May 29-30: Fallon’s inaugural chalk festival is set for this weekend, with activities including a Sunday color run, face painting, poetry and literary activities — and, of course, chalk art along Maine Street. For details and locations, visit fallonchalkfest.com.
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular, May 29: The cult classic laser and light show featuring the music of Pink Floyd is making a one-night-only appearance inside the South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, 15 Highway 50 in Stateline. Tickets start at $44. For details, visit caesars.com/harrahs-tahoe.
Legion Sports Fest, May 30: Fitness enthusiasts, check out this 10-sport, 2,500-athlete event with hundreds of fitness and nutrition vendors at the Reno Events Center, 400 University Way. For schedule, tickets and details, visit centerpodium.com/events/legion-sports-fest/.
Biggest Little Skate Jam, May 30: Wu Tang member GZA headlines this rap-centered event that also features a pop-up skate park on the premises. Other performers include Ramirez, The Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief and AK. It all begins at 12 noon at Club Underground, 555 E. 4th St. Tickets are $80-$165. Details at clubundergroundreno.com.
Capital City Brewfest, May 30: This annual event features live music, with specific artists to be announced. It takes place starting at 2 p.m. at McFadden Plaza, 223 W. 3rd St., Carson City. Tickets are $35-$45. Details at capitalcitybrewfest.com.
Magique, May 30: This show blends magic, comedy and dance.This week’s show is 8 p.m. Saturday. Performances are at the Celebrity Showroom, Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks. Tickets are $60-$140. For details, call 775-356-3300 or visit nuggetcasinoresort.com.
Reno-Tahoe concerts and shows, May 25-31
Giyera, Self Ordained, Brusher and Malice, May 25: A quartet of Nevada-based straight edge bands will perform Monday night at The Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Tickets are $12. For details, visit hollandreno.org.
Accessory and Facing, May 26: A pair of touring acts that combine noise-rock and shoegaze, they play at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Tickets are $12-$15. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.
Left On Read, May 26: Another band that features shoegaze as an influence, except that Left on Read also has a post-hardcore feel to some of its tunes. This Portland, Oregon band plays at 7:30 p.m. at Pizzava, 670 E. Prater Way, Sparks. There is a $10 door charge. Details at instagram.com/pizzava.showspace.
Lucy Darling, May 26: Darling is actually comedian/magician and musician Carisa Hendrix from Canada. As Darling, they perform a tribute to Vegas/Hollywood entertainers from bygone years, a characterization that became very popular on TikTok. Darling performs at 8 p.m. at the Grand Theater, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, 2500 E. 2nd St. Tickets are $50-$95. For details, call 775-789-1115 or visit grandsierraresort.com.
Telehealth, May 27: Signed to their hometown’s SubPop label, this Seattle group prominently features synths and definitely has a lot in common with UK post-punk and German art rock from the mid-to-late ‘70s. They play at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Tickets are $12-$15. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.
Billy Batts and the Made Men and Bazooka Sharks, May 27: An excellent tour to stop in Reno, as the Made Men (from Atlanta) and Bazooka Sharks (from Oregon) both play traditional punk and hardcore. With local openers Hired Fun, the show starts at 7 p.m. at The Empire, 620 Ryland. There is a $10 door charge. Details at instagram.com/620ryland.
Alabama Shakes, May 27: Reforming after a six-year hiatus, this great band mixes Southern rock with indie/garage influences, powered by the stunning voice and deft guitar playing of Brittany Howard. They will play at 8 p.m. at the Grand Theater, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, 2500 E. 2nd St. Tickets are $75-$125. For details, call 775-789-1115 or visit grandsierraresort.com.
Sang Matiz, May 28-30: Afro-Brazilian and Peruvian music gets fused with modern jazz, funk and pop with this group from San Francisco. They play at 7 p.m. the first night and 8 p.m. subsequent nights at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Barry Neal and Debbie Praver, May 28-29: These two comedians talk about relationships as part of their dual stand-up show “Love and Laughter.” It takes place at 7 p.m. each night at the Celebrity Showroom, Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks. Tickets are $40-$55 each night. For details, call 775-356-3300 or visit nuggetcasinoresort.com.
Yellowcard, May 28: It’s a night of alternative and punk, or punk-adjacent, music as this violin-featuring group tours with New Found Glory and Plain White T’s. They will all make a stop in Lake Tahoe for this one, 7 p.m. at Tahoe Blue Event Center, 75 US Highway 50, Stateline. Tickets are $45-$115. Details at tahoeblueeventcenter.com.
Lily Grace, May 28: This country artist from Australia performs at 8 p.m. at Pure Country Canteen, 1537 S. Virginia St. Tickets are $20-$30. Details at facebook.com/purecountrycanteen.
Little Foot and Yes Ma’am, May 28: A pair of traveling alternative-folk acts returns to Reno for this show at 8 p.m. at 40 Mile Saloon, 1495 S. Virginia St. Details at 40milesaloon.com.
Marshal Pioneer Pepper, May 29-30: A singer-guitarist from Arizona, Pepper puts on a “Wild West” style dinner show, including traditional folk and country, as well as dance troupes. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. each night at Nashville Social Club, 1105 S. Carson St., Carson City. Tickets are $45-$80 each night. Details at thenashvilleclub.com.
Deceits, May 29: This excellent band from Los Angeles merges modern punk with the classic ’80s goth/post-punk style from the UK. They play at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Tickets are $20-$25. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.
Colt Ford, May 29: The popular DIY country-rap musician returns to Reno for this one at 8 p.m. at Club Underground, 555 E. 4th St. Tickets are $45-$50. Details at clubundergroundreno.com.
Planet Perreo, May 29: This Latin/dance show features music from DJ/artists such as Ricky G and Disco Lazer. It starts at 8 p.m. at The Alpine, 324 E. 4th St. Tickets are $25-$35. Details at thealpine-reno.com.
Friends of P, May 30: This event organized by local musicians Nick and Mikie Ramirez (and named for their daughter, Pauline), is a benefit for Reno special needs charities for children. The lineup includes local indie/punk groups Rotary Club, The Juvinals, Nosebone (formerly known as the Shames) and the Glitter Bats. It all begins at 5 p.m. at Shim’s Surplus, 125 W. 3rd St. There is a $10 suggested donation. Details at shimssurplus.com.
Defier, May 30: A hardcore punk/metal band from the Pacific Northwest, Defier plays at 7 p.m. at The Empire, 620 Ryland St. There is a $10 door charge. Details at instagram.com/620ryland.
Brian Kilmeade, May 30: One of the hosts of the “Fox and Friends” TV show, Kilmeade blends political commentary with comedy for his live shows. He’ll perform at 7 p.m. at Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road. Tickets are $60-$165. Details at facebook.com/30silverpresents.
Kyle Gass Company, May 30: The former Tenacious D guitarist performs his own music that also blends comedy with rock and acoustic music. Gass and his band play at 8 p.m. at Cypress, 761 S. Virginia St. Tickets are $20-$30. Details at cypressreno.com.
Jeff Rosenstock, May 30: One of the best artists straddling the lines of melodic punk and indie rock, Rosenstock’s shows are always a fun time and loaded with excellent songs. He’s back in Reno for this Holland-Project-sponsored show: 8 p.m. at The Alpine, 324 E. 4th St. Tickets are $15-$20. Details at jmaxproductions.net.
NGHTMRE, May 30: DJ/producer Tyler Marenyi goes by this vowel-negating nom de plume. His music blends bass music with house influences. NGHTMRE performs at 8 p.m. at Cargo, Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N. Virginia St. Tickets are $40-$50. For details, call 775-398-5400 or visit cargoreno.com.
Tristan Selzler, May 31-June 3: Reno is home to this contemporary jazz musician. He performs at 6 p.m. each night at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Shredding Cheddars, May 31: The monthly “Neutral Ground” showcase of new bands sponsored by Reno Punk Rock Flea Market continues with this headliner, who describe themselves as “Washoe County’s only elementary school rock band.” They play with a School of Rock student punk band and local rockabilly band P.S.T. It all begins at 12 noon at West Street Market, 148 West St. Details at rprfm.org.
Allah-Las, May 31: This excellent ’60s garage-psych throwback band from L.A. has been around since 2008, releasing strong albums that merge a lot of bygone pop-rock styles into a singular sound of their own. They play at 7 p.m. at The Hangar, 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, California. Tickets are $50-$60. Details at thehangarlaketahoe.com.
CD Ghost, May 31: Dream pop meets dance/electronic music with this Los Angeles duo. They perform at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Tickets are $15. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.
Reno-Tahoe weather, May 25-31
Monday, Memorial Day: Sunny; highs 81-86 in the valleys and 66-76 at higher elevations. Clear and breezy overnight, then partly cloudy; lows 42-52 in the valleys and 35-45 at higher elevations.
Tuesday: Sunny and breezy; highs 67-72 in the valleys and 56-66 at higher elevations. Clear and breezy overnight; lows 40-45 in the valleys and 30-40 at higher elevations.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers; highs 64-69 in the valleys and 55-65 at higher elevations. Partly cloudy with a continuing chance of showers overnight; lows 38-48 in the valleys and 32-42 at higher elevations.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers, especially in the Sierra; highs 70-75 in the valleys and 60-70 at higher elevations. Clearing overnight; lows 38-48 in the valleys and 29-39 at higher elevations.
Friday: Mostly sunny; highs 68-78 in the valleys and 60-70 at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight; lows 41-51 in the valleys and 32-42 at higher elevations.
Saturday: Mostly sunny; highs 72-82 in the valleys and 63-73 at higher elevations. Clear overnight; lows 41-51 in the valleys and 32-42 at higher elevations.
Sunday: Mostly sunny; highs 75-85 in the valleys and 65-75 at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight; lows 44-54 in the valleys and 35-45 at higher elevations.
Northern Nevada roads, May 25-31
Reno-Tahoe Odyssey, May 29-30: Watch for runners on roads throughout northwestern Nevada and around Lake Tahoe this Friday and Saturday during the annual 33-hour footrace.
U.S. 50 between Spooner Summit and the state line: The Nevada Department of Transportation is conducting repaving work, which will continue through October. Expect single-lane closures and speed restrictions.
I-80 west of Reno: Expect lane shifts, reduced speeds and overnight lane closures through spring 2028 as NDOT works to replace seven aging bridges along the corridor between Mae Anne Avenue and Boomtown.
Kietzke Lane near Gentry Way: Watch for lane and sidewalk closures on Kietzke between Linden Street and Moana Lane through June while NDOT conducts initial construction for future pedestrian safety improvements.
Mark Earnest contributed to this report.
Brett McGinness is the engagement editor for the Reno Gazette Journal. He’s also the writer of The Reno Memo — a free newsletter about news in the Biggest Little City.
Subscribe to the newsletter right here. Consider supporting the Reno Gazette Journal, too.
I confess I broke the cardinal rule of planting. I admit I fell for it. The weather was so beautiful, I not only bought marigolds and one tomato plant, along with some perennials, I planted them before Washoe Valley’s safe planting date for non-hardy veggies and plants of June 1.
Worry not, my fellow gardeners, I was immediately punished. Not one but two freezes came two days after planting.
The perennials are all fine. Amazingly enough, the marigolds made it. However, the tomato is a goner. I know better, but I got caught up in the excitement of warm weather and planting possibilities.
My friend Kate asked me about pruning some overgrown roses now. She wanted to prune them back almost to the ground. I advised her that radical pruning is rarely the best option. A better plan is to remove a third of the excess growth, any crossing branches, any unsafe one that might poke you in the eye, and any dead growth.
Since roses are prone to many diseases, always disinfect pruning tools between cuts. I use rubbing alcohol, because it doesn’t rust tools. I just put it in a spray bottle and carry it with me bush to bush. Some people use bleach, which does cause rust. Sharp tools are best for pruning roses. Follow up on each cut by sealing it with white or wood glue. This will prevent borers from getting in the stem and killing it down to the crown. “A little dab will do ya!”
During my unwise plant shopping spree, I discovered that fertilizer is now extraordinarily expensive. I was shocked. I guess the Iran war and oil crisis is hitting home in more ways than just gas for cars or diesel for trucks. Yikes!
I am enjoying the multitudes of birds that live on or near our property. There is a robin nesting in a viburnum under our bedroom window. I watch her surreptitiously and I’m hoping there will be babies soon.
The Western bluebirds are prolific, skimming through the air grabbing all the bugs stirred up from our weed-whacking and mowing. They and the robins take enthusiastic and entertaining baths in the bird bath every day. I have a number of hyperactive, black-chinned hummingbirds at our two feeders. Who knew how assertive hummers could be, guarding their territory? I also didn’t realize that house finches would drink regularly at the hummingbird feeders.
I love spring!
— JoAnne Skelly is an Associate Professor and Extension Educator, Emerita, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at skellyj@unr.edu.
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