Reno-Tahoe

It’s sometimes hard to put your finger on what makes Reno Tahoe such a special place. We sometimes talk about the number of ski resorts and mountain bike trails, and the concerts and the ballpark and the shopping. That’s stuff that other places have, but what makes Reno Tahoe … better?

Well, it’s about a feeling. If you’ve felt it, you know. It’s like the feeling you get when you are in on a joke, or you have a perfect experience – like the perfect cappuccino or something. Those of us who live here know it, and those of you who visit frequently know it.

Since 2005, Scott Dunseath and his crew of proud Reno-ites have attempted to capture the feeling of Reno Tahoe in a clothing line called RENO ENVY. Of course, the clothing is a play on Reno, Nevada, but it is also an outward expression of this hard-to-describe feeling.

Locals in our fair city wear this clothing with pride – poking fun at the sometimes misdirected, sometimes accurate impression that Reno outsiders have about the place we proudly call home. RENO ENVY just launched a new Web site – and great place to get the gear to make your friends envious. Check it out.

Join artist Patricia Johanson as she leads guests through an intimate discussion of her Petaluma Wetlands Park project, while viewing the numerous drawings and designs on display in the CA+E LAB. Balancing beautiful design with ecological sensitivity, Johanson’s work is considered one of the most dynamic and functional landscape architecture projects in recent years.

Using constructed and natural wetlands Johanson created a multi-purpose public landscape providing three miles of recreational use, educational programs and nature study alongside a facility that simultaneously processes human sewage, while also generating crops and creating wildlife habitats. Art, ecology, landscaping and functional infrastructure meet in this collaborative project.

This exhibition is presented as part of the Art + Environment series, an initiative of the Nevada Museum of Art that brings together community, artists and scholars to explore the interaction between people and their environments.

Art Bites give attendees the opportunity to experience an informal and intimate introduction to works in the galleries over a short half-hour dialogue. Cost: $5 / $4 Museum members. The Art Bite series is supported in part by the Gabelli Foundation.

- From the Nevada Museum of Art

Short of delivering presents the world over, it’s the most fun you’ll have in a Santa suit.

The annual Reno Reindeer Games returns the weekend of Dec. 11-13 with an expanded slate of events highlighted, of course, by the Reno Santa Pub Crawl, where visitors flock to the watering holes of downtown Reno for a night of holiday revelry.

This year, the charity event gets even bigger with a holiday pajama party, discount skiing at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and discounts for attendees who book a hotel room. In 2008, event organizers estimate as many as 3,000 Santas crawled Reno’s pubs, and 2009 is expected to be even bigger. There is NO EXCUSE to miss a party this fun.

Reno Reindeer Games Events:

• Santa Crawl Pajama Ball, Dec. 11

Bowling + Pajamas = Fun. The party starts Friday evening at the “Taj Mahal of Tenpins,” the National Bowling Stadium, with the Santa Crawl Pajama Ball. The mammoth facility usually plays best to 100 lanes of world-class bowling, usually aired on ESPN – Not tonight. Festivities include pictures with Santa, raffle prizes, holiday drink specials and a best dressed in holiday pajamas contest. The cover charge for party revelers dressed in pajamas or holiday flare is $15, which covers bowling and a donation to the Reindeer Charities. For those not dressed in pajamas or holiday flare the cover charge is $20.

• Santa Crawl Skiing Extravaganza, Dec. 12

Dress festively & get a $39 all-day lift ticket at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe with $5 dollars going to Support the Claus during the Santa Crawl Skiing Extravaganza! Join other Reindeer Game revelers for holiday drink specials and the best-dressed contest. Added bonus: watching hundreds of Santas shredding pow. That’s worth the price of admission.

• Reno Santa Pub Crawl, Dec. 12

The magical anticipation of St. Nick dropping down the chimney on Christmas Eve may be long gone, but that doesn’t mean the adults can’t have fun. The highlight of the Reno Reindeer games, the Reno Santa Pub Crawl, brings the whole event home. Basically, several thousand Santa crawlers hit the streets and more than two-dozen participating watering holes of downtown Reno, showing off their best Santa-inspired costumes – the party reaches a crescendo when revelers meet under the legendary Reno Arch.

• Hotel deal

Event organizers have teamed up with the Silver Legacy Resort Casino to create a killer package: Rooms start at $59 and include a $35 coupon book, $5 food voucher, 2-for-1 drinks at Aura Ultra Lounge, health spa admission, 20 percent Silver Legacy Shopping Discount, $4 off ticket to Catch a Rising Star comedy club and one free ace-in-the-hole.

The National Automobile Museum, The Harrah Collection, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this Thursday by offering free admission all day.

From 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday enjoy the award-winning museum, all the special exhibits, two films in the theater and have a piece of cake to celebrate the milestone.

Costumed historic characters will bring history to life in galleries throughout the museum during the anniversary celebration.

Two special exhibits are included in the anniversary celebration free admission day.

• Movie Cars: Cinematic Stars on Wheels featuring the actual cars that appeared in popular films.
• On The Road with Alice Ramsey – detailing the adventures of the spunky young woman who was the first female to drive across the United States.

The National Automobile Museum is located on the corner of Lake and Mill streets. Parking is free in the museum lot. For more information on the National Automobile Museum, visit www.automuseum.org or call (775) 333-9300.

The Nevada Museum of Art, located in downtown Reno, is going big this season with two great exhibits featuring the work of Rembrandt and Raphael. Mark your calendars.

Rembrandt: The Embrace of Darkness and Light

November 7 – January 17, 2010

Visit the Museum this holiday season and explore the life and legacy of the legendary Dutch etcher and painter through this exhibit featuring 130 of his most celebrated prints. The exhibition traces the artist’s entire career as a printmaker from the drama and technical genius of his early productions to the quiet mystery and poetry of his final works. More information online.

Raphael: The Woman with the Veil

January 9 – March 21, 2010

A stunning example of the High Renaissance, Raphael’s masterpiece painting The Woman with the Veil (La Velata in Italian) comes to Reno as part of an exclusive three city only U.S. tour. Presented by Reno’s ArteITALIA, the piece depicts the artist’s lover with incredible elegance and detail and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Reno-Tahoe visitors and residents alike. More information online.

View a complete list of upcoming exhibitions online.

Attention zombies, ghouls and ghosts. Check out the calendar of Halloween events and parties in Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe.

• Halloween Warm-up with Enzyme Dynamite, Black Rock City Allstars
  Vixens – 906 Victorian Ave. – Sparks
  October 23 @ 9 p.m.
  Party the week before Halloween with a costume contest, giveaways and performances by Enzyme Dynamite of the Bayliens, DJ True Justice, XienHow, Black Rock City Allstars, Wordplay and live art by Stk One.
• Reno Beer Crawl – Halloween Homecoming Edition
  Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar – 425 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  Every 4th Saturday of the month (starting October 24)
  Monthly crawl serves specialty beers downtown. Dress up for this one and take part in some special UNR homecoming stops.
• Nowloween – Dance of the Dead
  Reno-Sparks Convention Center – 4590 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 24 @ 7 p.m.
  An early Halloween costume party featuring several electronica artists and DJs in several rooms. They include Frankie Bones, DJ ESP, Bryan Cox, DJ Flave, Danny the Wildchild, Tom Foolery, and Ripple. Full bar for those over 21. Benefits local food banks.
• Skin, Sin and Ink Tattoo Competition
  Diamond Dolls – 310 Spokane St. – Reno
  October 29 @ 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Finals)
  The Skin, Sin and Ink Competition is back for a third year, so join Chris Payne and KRZQ every Thursday at Diamond Dolls for a different tattoo parlor’s show every week and tattoo contest where one lucky person will win a custom-designed tattoo worth $600. And at the end, on Oct. 29, the finals will pit the best designs against each other. Every night enjoy $2 Jager shots and $2 Coors and Coors Lights. The event has gotten so big, it’s even being featured in Skin Ink tattoo magazine. Schedule: July 23: Deep Ink Tattoo July 30: Aces Tattoo Aug. 6: Lucky 7 Tattoo Aug. 13: Stain Tattoo Aug. 20: Body Graphics Tattoo Aug. 27: Reno Tattoo Sept. 3: Battle Born Tattoo Sept. 10: Distinct Ink Sept. 17: Neighborhood Ink Sept. 24: Nightmare Studios Oct. 1: Absolute Tattoo Oct. 8: Stingray Tattoo Oct. 15: Under Your Skin Tattoo Oct. 22: Evolution Tattoo Oct. 29: Tattoo Competition Finals
• Reno Zombie Halloween Bar Crawl
  Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar – 425 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 8 p.m.
  Last year, more than 300 people came out for the Reno Zombie Crawl, shuffling from stop to stop in downtown Reno. The event returns with a vengeance, promising more brains, gore and, probably most important, beer. The goal is $2 drink specials at all the participating bars.
• Fantasies in Chocolate Vampire’s Ball
  Grand Sierra Resort and Casino – 2500 E. Second St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  Fantasies in Chocolate is a black-tie benefit party for the Reno Gazette-Journal Foundation and, even more important, overflows with chocolate and drinks. This year, it’s taking advantage of the proximity to Halloween and just going all out. More than 65 vendors serve chocolate and champagne and all kinds of other treats and drinks. Feel free to dress up or go with classic formal attire, but $1,000 goes to the best-dressed vampire and vampiress. Liquid Blue has taken over organizing duties and are bringing in new vendors and adding new twists to the annual event, now in its 25th year. Win a pair of tickets from us!
• Wild Erotic Ball – Blood Lust
  Grande Exposition Hall at the Silver Legacy – 407 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 9 p.m.
  Wild 102.9’s annual Halloween party has caught vampire fever, and you can feel the Blood Lust at this year’s Wild Erotic Ball, a night of drinks, dancing and costumes. There’s a contest, of course, and live DJ.
• Day of the Dead Live Art Show & Masquerade Ball
  The Tree House Lounge – 555 E. Fourth St. (behind The Underground) – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  Reno Erotico Diablo presents a benefit for breast cancer research. The second annual party features a ball and live art for sale with half the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Performers and other entertainment include Black Rock City Allstars, Bohemian Burlesque, body painting, and costume contest.
• Punk Skalloween
  The Underground – 555 E. Fourth St., Suite B – Reno
  October 30 @ 9 p.m.
  A Halloween concert with some ska and a lot of punk. Keyser Soze headlines with Del Mar and the Humans. DJ D. Bruce also spins.
• Halloween Cover Band Show
  Rainshadow Community Charter High School – 121 Vesta St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  Halloween party show with tributes to The Clash, Sam Cooke, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Bangles, Blondie, Violent Femmes and more. Sponsored by the Holland Project.
• Halloween weekend at Eldorado
  Eldorado Hotel Casino – 345 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 8 p.m.
  The Eldorado’s many nightspots host Halloween activities, kicking off Oct. 30 with a coffin crawl at 8 p.m. to places like Brew Brothers and Cin Cin for drinks and prizes before reaching the Wild Erotic Ball at the Silver Legacy. On Oct. 30 and 31, Brew Brothers hosts a party at 10 p.m. with $5,000 in prizes for the costume contest. DJ Spook and dancing go down at Cin Cin starting at 9 p.m. on Oct. 31.
• AC/DShe
  Crystal Bay Club-Casino – 14 Nevada 28 – Crystal Bay
  October 30 @ 9 p.m.
  The all-female AC/DC tribute band plays for a Devil’s Night Party in the Crown Room followed by The Marones playing an after party Red Room show.
• Skin & Scare Ball
  EDGE at the Peppermill – 2707 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m.
  The Peppermill’s fourth annual Skin Scare Ball takes place at Edge, with just the normal $20 cover. $5,000 in prizes will be awarded in the costume contest, with winners for scariest, sexiest, silliest and more.
• Halloween $500 Beer Pong Tournament
  Club Cal Neva Hotel Casino – 1 E. First St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Since this beer pong tournament is every Saturday, it’s also on Halloween. But the holiday event is earlier than usual, at 6 p.m., so players will still have time for other Halloween events. Aside from the usual $500 in prize money, prizes will also be awarded for best and scariest costume.
• Freakers Ball 12
  Bruka Theatre – 99 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  The annual Bruka Halloween event includes music, magic, masquerade, mayhem and much more.
• Hollywood Undead Halloween Party
  Jungle Vino – 248 W. First St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
  Haunting both Jungle Vino and Java Jungle, this Halloween party has a Hollywood theme, with guests encouraged to dress as their favorite movie character, bit player or rock star for the costume contest.
• Rocky Horror Picture Show
  Red Martini – 214 West Commercial Row – Reno
  October 31 @ 11:55 p.m.
  Celebrate Halloween in style with a full-fledged Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with all of the props, costumes and other types of adult fun. All costumes welcome, so drop by in between or after other Halloween festivities.Donations of peanut butter, jelly or loafs of bread for the local charity Spread Peace Reno, which serves the area’s homeless, are appreciated.
• Helloween Metal Fest 2009
  The Underground – 555 E. Fourth St., Suite B – Reno
  October 31 @ 11 p.m.
  Seven bands play for a Halloween concert, with Zend, Deplete, Fire to Reason, Sinister Scene, Dominion NV, Dead Wreckoning and Determined. The costume contest has $150 in cash prizes and $5 shots get you a free PBR. Buy advance tickets from any of the bands. After 11 p.m, the event is 21 and over only.
• Halloween with Ashlee Stone
  Biggest Little City Club – 188 California Ave. – Reno
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  Join Ashlee Stone, DJ Sean Murray and the BLCC Crew for Halloween fun, including costume contests (such as rhinestone cowboy) with $200 cash prize. VIP table service is available (e-mail for details).
• Halloween Party and Shames CD release
  Chapel Tavern – 1495 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m.
  Halloween concert with the Shames (celebrating their CD release), the Humans, and Pinky Polanski, with prizes for best male and female costume.
• Halloween party at Strega
  Strega Bar – 310 S Arlington Ave. – Reno
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  Halloween at Strega features a costume contest and scary specials including $4 TUACA Hot Cider and $4 Peppermint Patties.
• Glam-Rock Gala with the Reagan Years
  Tonic Lounge - 231 W. Second St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m.
  The Reagan Years host this retro bash, with all costumes encouraged but special discount for those rocking ’70s and ’80s glam-rock outfits. $100 costume contest and prize giveaways. Courtesy Call opens. Drink specials include $2 pumpkin beer.
• Hellaween with Evergreen Terrace
  Vixens – 906 Victorian Ave. – Sparks
  October 30 @ 7:30 p.m.
  Touring band Evergreen Terrace performs with For the Fallen Dreams, Asking Alexandria, Unholy, and Barcadia. For those who like their candy-oriented holidays loud.
• Beck’s House of Horrors
  Beck’s Brew House - 3611 Kings Row – Reno
  October 31 @ 7 p.m.
  The mayhem starts at 7 p.m. with drink specials and a potent witches brew. The costume contest is at 10 p.m. with prizes for best costume, best couple and most disturbing.
• Nigels’ 14th Annual Halloween Bash
  3rd Street – 125 W. Third St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 8 p.m.
  The annual party features the band Hardrive and a contest for best costume at midnight.
• Halloween open bar at Amendment 21
  Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar – 425 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
  On Halloween from 10 p.m. to midnight, enjoy $5 mugs and $20 for free refills on all well and draft drinks.
• Halloween parties at Bonanza
  Bonanza Casino - 4720 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  On Oct. 30, there is a DJ debuting the bar’s new dance floor. On Oct. 31, the Bonanza hosts a costume contest at 9 p.m. with $500 in prizes. Registration is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fort Reno Booth, and then there’s dancing all night.
• Creeper’s Ball Costume Party – Tainted Love
  Crystal Bay Club-Casino – 14 Nevada 28 – Crystal Bay
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  Annual costume party featuring the ’80s tribute band.
• Le Chamois Halloween Party
  The Village at Squaw Valley – 1750 Village East Road – Olympic Valley
  October 31 @ 8 p.m
  DJ Blue 42 will be spinning dance tunes at 9 p.m. at the Le Chamois bar. Costumes are strongly encouraged.
• Virginia City All Hallow’s Eve
  Silver Queen Hotel – 28 N. C St. – Virginia City
  October 31 @ 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  Presented by Bats in the Belfry. Spend a chilling Halloween night with the spirits of Virginia City. Includes a buffet style dinner, discussion panel on paranormal investigating presented by Ghost Posse Inc. and four hours of ghost hunting in some of the most haunted places in Virginia City. Advance ticket sales only. Event goes from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Halloween Party Dinner and Dance
  Gold Hill Hotel – 1540 Main St. – Gold Hill
  October 31 @ 5 p.m.
  Fine dining from 5-9 p.m. followed by music for dancing from 9 till midnight. Costumes are encouraged with awards for best costume. Call to reserve.

Cinematography is the medium. Action sports and adventure is the subject. Well known as a breeding ground for elite athletes and year-round adventurers, Lake Tahoe is the stage for the 7th Annual Tahoe Adventure Film Festival to be held Dec. 12 at Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa in South Lake Tahoe.

Designed to capture the intensity and passion of adventure, the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival (TAFF) showcases 10-minute clips from the best action sports films of the year in one evening. TAFF organizers spend months pouring over footage from every corner of the globe to narrow down the film submissions to the top 10. Films cover the full spectrum of adventure by the action sports world’s best talent, featuring sports like skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, surfing, skating, mountain biking, BASE jumping and other heart-pounding sports. The high-energy films are amplified by live acts including special guest speakers, action sports photography by Aurora Photos, go-go dancers, DJs, and always a few special surprises to keep the audience entertained.

“The festival’s fast pace and action-packed films keep us on edge; that fine line that defines world-class athletes and fuels our passion for adventure at any level,” says Todd Offenbacher, TAFF founder and event host. “We put together a line-up of the best films of the year and showcase them in one night of energy, excitement and fun that appeal to all audiences.”

A highlight of the festival is the Golden Camalot Award which recognizes one athlete or filmmaker for their athletic prowess, achievements and leadership role in action and adventure sports. Past TAFF Camalot recipients include snowboard pioneer Jeremy Jones, 86-year-old mountaineer Fred Beckey, extreme skier Glen Plake, world-class rock climber Tommy Caldwell, and legendary climber/kayaker Royal Robbins.

This year TAFF has partnered with the Sierra Avalanche Center to host the biggest raffle in the festival’s history. Prizes include Lake Tahoe resort season passes, a trip with Points North Heli Adventures, an afternoon with Pacific Crest Snowcats, and enough gear and swag to stock any adventure enthusiast’s garage.

The festival starts at 6:30 p.m. with an action sports photography display from award-winning Aurora Photos followed by the main event at 7:30pm. For festival details, visit www.LakeTahoeFilmFestival.com. Tickets are available at the Montbleu Resort box office or www.ticketmaster.com.

Ghosts in Northern Nevada aren’t of the ghoulish campfire variety. Here, they tell stories of the past … of the colorful characters of the Comstock-era, when silver was king and Virginia City was the cultural center of the Western expansion, or when getting a divorce required establishing residency in Reno during an extended stay.

Whether it’s Lake Tahoe’s smoky showrooms that hosted characters like Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra during the golden age of casinos, or the pioneer families of rural settlements like Genoa, the apparitions that appear to some today are a reminder of connection between history and place.

Believers and non-believers alike can fill their Sierra travel docket with offbeat experiences, chasing the ghosts of Northern Nevada … they just have to know where to look. Here are some highlights:

Virginia City

Once a western metropolis, Virginia City is a history lover’s paradise, and spooky sites abound. Check out The Silver Terrace Cemeteries with its Victorian-era plots; Piper’s Opera House, one of the most significant vintage theaters in America is also a center for the supernatural – the ghost of John Piper himself is said to appear in the building.

Lake Tahoe

The “Jewel of the Sierra” is more than just a pretty place. Visit Thunderbird Lodge, the 1938 estate built by socialite George Whittell, where several ghosts are rumored to be roaming the grounds. At the Cal Neva Resort, fans of Hollywood’s heyday will be delighted to know the ghosts of Marilyn Monroe and Sammy Davis Jr. are still around.

Reno

Before Reno became the birthplace of the gaming and the quickie divorce, it was a pioneer settlement during the westward expansion. The Hillside Cemetery is the resting place for the many of the region’s first settlers, while Morrill Hall at the University of Nevada, is rumored to be home to frequent paranormal activity and haunted by a woman dressed in 1920s attire.

Carson City

Nevada’s capital is home to some of the state’s best museums and of course its halls of government, but the real thrill may come for visitors at sites like the Brewery Arts Center, where a ghost believed to be that of community leader James P. Maar greets visitors. During the annual Kit Carson Trail ghost walk (Oct. 24) visitors can encounter Carson City’s ghosts and historical figures played by actors in period costume.

View the complete Ghost Trail guide online.

Each year the floats come out … along with the horses, the Shriners in their little cars, kids and high school bands from miles around during the Nevada Day Parade.

Nevada has the distinction of being the state with the largest formal celebration honoring its admittance into statehood. This year, it will commemorate 145 years of statehood during the annual Nevada Day Celebration, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Carson City.

The highlight of the celebration is the Nevada Day Parade on Oct. 31 with the theme for our 2009 parade “A Salute to President Lincoln.”
Come see the Silver State shine on the streets of Carson City.

Spirited spirits Darrell LaRue, an former car racer, former fireman John Fuller and former mechanic Don Waite share haunting stories of the past during Ghost Tours at the National Automobile Museum in Reno on Saturdays through Oct. 24

Ghost Tours run from 1-4 p.m. and are included with the regular price of admission which is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $4 for children 6 to 18 years. Children age 5 and younger are free. The museum is located at 10 S. Lake St. in downtown Reno. Parking is free in the museum lot.

For more information on Ghost Tours at the National Automobile Museum call (775) 333-9300 or visit www.automuseum.org.