FREE admission, FREE face painting, and FREE Italian Ice for all children 17 and under on Wednesday, Spet. 26.

Celebrate National Children’s Day with The Discovery! The museum has invited a number of child-centric community agencies and organizations to providing hands-on activities such as:

• KNPB will provide a visit from Bob the Builder.
• The Nevada Museum of Art is hosting a “Monster Box” making workshop.
• The Fleischmann Planetarium will offer activities related to comets and the solar system.
• The National Automobile Museum will display the museum’s antique fire truck.
• High Desert Fencing Alliance will offer fencing demonstrations and classes.
• Live music by members of the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Admission for adults is $8.00 per person from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. After 4:00 pm, adult admission is just $4.00. The museum is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Participating organizations include: The Children’s Cabinet, Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows,Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center, KNPB, Reno Philharmonic, Sierra Nevada Journeys, Washoe County Library System and HighDesert Fencing Alliance.

For more information about Children’s Day and other activities at The Discovery, visit the calendar of events on the museum’s website at www.nvdm.org.

43rd annual National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, September 17 – 29, in Reno.

The Reno-Sparks Live Stock Events Center will be filled with the nation’s top triathletes, September 17 – 29. This triathlon’s events: herd work, rein work and fence work. Nope, this is not your typical triathlon, nor is it your typical horse show… it’s NRCHA’s Snaffle Bit Futurity. Total payout is over $1 million this year, and the crowned Futurity Open Champion will come home $100,000 richer.

Once you go, you’ll be hooked for every year to come. Fans are equally compelled to the action outside of the arena, with horse sales, trade show shopping and hanging out with other die-hard fans.

The last three days of the event (Sept. 27-29) are the only days with an entry fee of $15. The special events and nail-biting action of the finals competitions will be well worth admission.

Highlights from this year’s schedule:

Thursday, Sept 27

The giant video screen is up, and the herd settle begins early at 7:30 a.m. to determine the winner of the Cinch Futurity Intermediate Open and Futurity Limited Open Finals. Open Hackamore and Open Bridle finalists follow to compete for their respective titles.

Friday, Sept 28

Action-packed Futurity Non-Pro finals begin at 4:00 p.m. At 8, cheer on your favorite entry in the Celebrity Cow Horse Fence Work Competition with famous faces such as singers Juni Fisher and Trent Willmon, and Tom McMillan from “Tom’s Wild Life” show on GAC.

Saturday, Sept 29

Futurity Open Finals start at 1:30 p.m. beginning with herd work. At 7pm, enjoy the Open Finalists for rein and cow work finals. After the Futurity Open Champion is crowned, enjoy a live performance by country music artist Trent Willmon.

For more information, please visit www.NRCHA.com.

Four-day celebration with art projects, science demos, musical performances, discounted admission & more

Come celebrate the birthday party of the summer. Thursday, September 6 through Sunday, September 9, the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery) will celebrate the museum’s first birthday. The celebration will include birthday themed art projects, science demonstrations, a discounted admission day, exhibitions of Denny Daniel’s “Museum of Interesting Things,” a performance by Whitney Myer and more.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Create a birthday card or button – During museum hours
Visit Art Alcove to create a birthday card for The Discovery. Cards will be displayed throughout the museum during the birthday celebration.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Create a birthday card or button in Art Alcove – During museum hours
Use a variety of art materials to create a birthday card for The Discovery.Cards will be displayed throughout the museum during the birthday celebration.

Denny Daniel’s Museum of Interesting Things – 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Don’t miss this interactive demonstration of antiques and inventions that are certain to inspire creativity and inspiration.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Museum hours extended, $5 admission all day – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Take advantage of a longer day to learn and play for just $5 admission per person. Children age 1 and under are free. Members are always free.

Member receive double discount in the Museum Store – During museum hours
Members can double their discount to 30 percent on the Museum Store’s huge selection of educational toys, games books and more. Become a member and immediately take advantage of this discount.

Create your own party hat in Art Alcove – During museum hours
Use a variety of art supplies to create your very own party hat to wear during the museum’s birthday festivities.

Create a mini piñata in Art Burst – During museum hours
Create your very own miniature version of this popular birthday tradition in this open studio.

Visiting scientist: Dave Boland from the Reno Herpetological Society – 10:00 am
Dave Boland, vice president of the Reno Herpetological Society, will visit The Discovery along with his snakes, lizards and other scaly friends.

Performance by Reiko Shimbo’s Reno Taiko Tsurunokai – 1:00 pm
Enjoy a heart pounding performance from Reiko Shimbo’s Reno Taiko Tsurunokai.

Denny Daniel’s Museum of Interesting Things – 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm
Don’t miss this interactive demonstration of antiques and inventions that are certain to inspire creativity and inspiration.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Member receive double discount in the Museum Store – During museum hours
Members can double their discount to 30 percent on the Museum Store’s huge selection of educational toys, games books and more. Become a member and immediately take advantage of the double discount.

Create your own party hat in Art Alcove – During museum hours
Use a variety of art supplies to create your very own party hat to wear during the museum’s birthday festivities.

Performance by the Whitney Myer Band – 12:00 pm
Join former contestant on “The Voice” and Reno’s favorite family band for a special performance on the plaza in front of the museum.

Decorate a birthday cupcake – Noon to 3:00 pm (While supplies last)
Decorate a tasty birthday treat in honor of The Discovery’s birthday and then enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Denny Daniel’s Museum of Interesting Things – 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm

Don’t miss this interactive demonstration of antiques and inventions that are certain to inspire creativity and inspiration.

Whether you’ve been a loyal air race fan for the better part of two decades or have yet to be reeled in, we invite you to experience the “World’s Fastest Motorsport” first hand in September at the Reno Stead Airport.

Five days of racing action. Six classes of aircraft and speeds exceeding 500 mph. It all adds up to the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada. Legendary champions will make triumphant returns while up-and-coming pilots vie to challenge the rule. The thunderous roar of aircraft will storm across the Reno skies.

Win Tickets!

Reno Tahoe USA and the National Championship Air Races are teaming up together to give away 50 sets of tickets. Each set includes general admission entry for 2 to both Saturday and Sundays event. Pick me!

Air Show Performances

Even between races, the entertainment doesn’t stop. An illustrious group of aerobatic performers will flip, spiral, and soar overhead, in addition to military demonstration teams. Past military demonstration teams include the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron – Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

Top artists know where to find a good time, Reno Tahoe USA.

Dierks Bentley
Friday, August 31

Big Time Rush
Thursday, September 20

Crosby, Stills & Nash
Saturday, September 22

Mac Miller
Wednesday, September 26

Train
Thursday, September 27

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, September 29

Carrie Underwood
Friday, October 12

Eric Church
Sunday, November 11

The Who
Saturday, February 2

A note to first-time burners: First moments on the playa.

In less than a week, burners will return “home” after a year away from their temporary address in temporary Black Rock City, population: 60,000+. Playa neighbors will embrace as if they’ve known one other for a lifetime, hugging notably tighter if meeting for the first time. As a newbie, the friendliness and sincerity of the Burning Man community will push all your expectations off balance. Succumb to falling flat on your butt, un-grounding the dry desert dust that’s now clouding your body and mind. As the puff of dust slowly unveils the world around you, surrender to its clearness, its normalities… if there is such a thing. Regain balance, release the shame that has built up from being so taken back by no-strings-attached kindness, drop any persona you uphold in your everyday workweek, and let your Burning Man virginity shatter at your feet.

A hug from a burner will be undoubtedly the warmest embrace you’ll ever experience; it’s endearing, welcoming… real. Without hesitation, burners lend a hand to help set up their new friends’ camps, not expecting or wanting anything in return, just sharing a heart-warming smile. Burners are more than friends. They get to see the real you. Whether “you” is skipping through the dust singing aloud and proud that song stuck in your head, passing out thousands of hand-crafted necklaces tired fingers have been stringing for months, or admiring world-class art, bare-bum naked… nothing is ordinary or unordinary on the playa, it is truth.

WHAT: 2012 Presidential Pig Race
WHEN:  11 a.m., Thursday, August 30^th, 2012, during The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off
WHERE:  The corner of 11^th & Victorian in Sparks, just outside of John Ascuaga’s Nugget

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is putting the “pork” in politics at this year’s Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off at John Ascuaga’s Nugget!  In a completely unscientific method of predicting America’s next Commander in Chief, pigs dressed to represent “Obama” and “Romney” will race down Victorian Avenue, oinking for your vote.

Just like the real 2012 Presidential candidates, these little piggies will be pounding the pavement!

See which pig “squeals” the top spot, and wins by a snout!

If your prediction falls short, you can always join the half-a-million people chowing down on more than 100 tons of ribs at one of the largest BBQ festivals in the country. The 24^th Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off runs from August 29 – September 3, 2012.

If you’re planning to go to the Reno Tahoe Open, stop by Experience Reno Tahoe USA Events! There’s great prize giveaways, free special event decals, cool displays and discount tickets for an upcoming off-road race.  This exhibit tent is located between the driving range and the #1 tee box, just look for Washoe Willys!  Entry cards for the prize giveaways are available on the public parking shuttles or at Experience Reno Tahoe USA Events!  Deposit your completed entry in the raffle drum at the exhibit tent; winners will be selected on Monday, August 6.

Check out these prizes!

The Biggest Little City is known for its plethora of great special events that entertain locals and visitors alike year round.  Reno-Tahoe Open is a proudly showcasing several partner events as they bring a piece of their special event right to the golf course! Guests will enjoy a hot air balloon display , a classic car exhibit from Hot August Nights and the National Automobile Museum, a jet from the Reno Air Races and more, right on the grounds of Montrêux Golf & Country Club. Available for viewing August 02-05, 2012.

USA TODAY declared Lake Tahoe the Best Lake in America!

USA TODAY asked their readers to vote for their favorite lake, and Lake Tahoe took home the gold.

Tahoe was one of 15 finalists nominated by regional magazine editors. Sunset Magazine editor, Peter Fish, nominated Lake Tahoe. Fish described Tahoe as “too stunning not to be experienced” and “draws a gazillion – that’s what it feels like on a weekend, anyway— tourists who use it as a summer escape hatch.”

USA TODAY also asked readers to comment on what they would recommend to Lake Tahoe visitors. We have gathered a few of our favorite responses:

“Here’s a day in the life on the North Shore. You can watch the sunrise with my dogs and I hiking in the Tahoe meadows, then go for an early morning kayak or SUP ride on the Lake, breakfast at any number of great spots, then take the tram up to the top of Squaw for Lunch, come back to Incline and take a Sunset cruise on the Sierra Cloud, and finish up with a fabulous French dining experience at Le Bistro.” – Geno M.

“You’ll definitely want to take a cruise aboard the Sierra Cloud, docked at the Hyatt Regency Incline Village, or charter a sailboat from one of the teams launching from behind Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City. Getting out on the lake via one of these boats is so peaceful and beautiful you’ll never forget it.” – Kristen P.

“As a Tahoe local, come during the week when there are less tourists, hike our beautiful trails and make sure to get out on the lake, whether it is on a boat, SUP, or kayak…that is the best way to experience the beauty that is Tahoe.” – Jesse S. H.

“Take a super quick drive to the base of Mt Rose and visit the PGA TOUR at the Reno-Tahoe Open, Thurs-Sunday. Stop at T’s Rotisserie in Incline to grab a chicken burrito on the way!” – Betsy M.

Be sure to read the article for more recommendations.

Mark Twain once described Tahoe as “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” We couldn’t agree more.

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART

Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky

June 30 – October 28

Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid, is a composer, multimedia artist, and writer who creates bridges between sound art and contemporary visual culture. Through music, photographs and film stills from his journey to the Antarctic, along with original artworks, and re-appropriated archival materials, Miller uses Antarctica as an entry point for contemplating humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

Live Performance: July 21, 7 – 10pm

A BIG live music performance is coming up at the Museum: world-renowned DJ Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid. Paul has a huge international following and plays around the world in venues from France to Japan to Mexico City. He is a featured artist on Syfy Channel’s “Imagine Greater” series, and an Artist-In-Residence at the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) in New York City. Tickets are $15 / $10 Museum members. Local food trucks and two cash bars will be open during the event. DJ Frkse opens the show.

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM

New Summer Hours (through Aug. 26):

Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy daily art activities in Art Alcove and a seismic challenge for two different age groups called “Make Your Own Quake” set for July 21^st, 28^th and 29^th. For more information about these and other activities at The Discovery, visit the calendar of events on the museum’s website at www.nvdm.org.

NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

Movin’ & Groovin’ Party at the National Automobile Museum

Friday, July 20, 2012, 7 – 10 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to see and party with the Mutant Rides exhibit before it closes.

This will also mark the first day of the first ever ArtCar Fest Reno!  Art Cars from around the country and Canada will be featured in the National Automobile Museum parking lot and Harrod Blank and the artists from the fest and in the exhibit will be introduced.  An endless loop slide presentation of art cars & mutants will be presented.

Mutant Rides: Origin of a Species

They began a spontaneously, a change in the genetic code, and evolved from the assemble line to an emerging species on the Black Rock Desert.  These rolling works of art are now deeply entrenched in the culture of Burning Man. Imagine a world of motorized vehicles where boundaries are limitless, imaginations rule and the bizarre becomes the norm.