Reno’s Tamarack Junction Casino will host the best athletes from the canine world at the Splash Dogs Summer Solstice Dock Jumping Competition on June 19-21.

The event, open to dogs of all shapes, sizes and abilities, takes place in the casino parking lot and features a portable pool and dock. And for the non-athletes, there’s plenty of barbecue, drink and fun on-site.

Check out event details here, and come on out for a good time.


Event Schedule

Friday, June 19

• Registration opens – 2PM
• Open Practice Dock – 2PM
• Wave #1 – 4:00 PM
• Wave #2 – 6:00 PM
• Dock Closes – 7PM

Saturday, June 20

• Registration opens – 9AM
• Open Practice Dock – 9AM
• Wave #3 – 3:00 PM
• Wave #4 – 5:00 PM
• Super Vertical – 7:00 PM
• Dock Closes – 8PM

Sunday, June 21

• Registration opens – 8AM
• Open Practice Dock – 8AM
• Wave #5 – 9:00 AM
• Wave #6 – 11:00 AM
• Lap Dog Finals – 1:00PM
• Junior Handler Finals – 1:00PM
• Open Finals – 1:00PM
• Pro Finals – 2:00PM
• Pro Final 4 – 2:00PM
• Dock Closes – 6PM

The Hills are alive in Reno-Tahoe, as the 11th Annual EuroFest takes over the parking lot at Terrible’s Sands Regency this weekend, June 5-7.

With a huge selection of beers ranging from Spaten, Warsteiner, Kronenbourg and Stella Artois, to Hoegaarden, Bass Ale, Young Chocolate Stout and Monty Pythons’ Holy Grail Ale, there’ll be no shortage of beverages to quench any thirst brought on by dancing to the live music.

Also, sample a variety of European cuisine, including specialties from Germany, England, Spain (including Basque country), Poland and Italy.

EuroFest, as always, is free so bring your friends and have a great time at the Sands.

Calling this a “shopping center” doesn’t do it justice. It’s a shopping experience.

The Legends at Sparks Marina, a destination retail center under construction in Sparks, Nev., is almost ready for its June 18 first-phase opening. And developers of the mega-mall are going big. Really big.

From a huge tower that anchors the center of the center, to common areas with statues depicting Nevada historical figures, features and wildlife, the concept behind Legends is to create a mecca for shopping and socializing. The first phase is expected to bring 28 tenants online, with a total of 47 tenants open for business by Aug. 1. Several tenants are already wowing visitors, including Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Store (at nearly 300,000 square feet) and Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen. By next spring there will also be a 13-theater movie complex, complete with an iMax screen – and tentative plans call for a destination casino hotel resort to anchor the north end of the project, as well as a concert venue that can seat up to 9,000 for big-name acts.

Bringing the “legends” to Legends

“The idea is to celebrate the history, people and places of Nevada,” said Dennis McGovern, Legends general manager. “When the first phase is finished you’ll see three ‘living room’ areas surrounded by artist depictions of the bristlecone pine (Nevada’s state tree), bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, a statue of Samuel Clemens …”

Common areas are replete with waterfalls, firepits, and lush landscaping. McGovern says developers are planting 1,600 trees and 26,000 shrubs at the site. The landscape is also varied – elevation changes enhance the feeling place and reflect the diverse topography of Northern Nevada.

Designed to appeal to all of the senses, a 151-speaker sound system will be installed at Legends, along with spaces for public events, including a five-story Christmas tree during the holiday season.

But it’s (mostly) about the shopping

On Wednesday 500 workers were on site – installing fixtures, punching out final touches on storefronts, hanging signs, pouring concrete and powering the huge electrical infrastructure.
“This place is changing every day,” McGovern said. “You can barely walk through here right now, but by June 18 this won’t even look like a construction site.”

The tenant mix will be 60 percent outlets – good news for deal seekers. Stores that have signed on the dotted line include:

Entertainment

• Dickinson Theatres & IMAX
• Kingpins

Hotel/Casino

• The Legends Bay Casino, Resort, Spa (Olympia Gaming)

Restaurants

• Cadillac Ranch
• FreshBerry Yogurt Cafe
• Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen
• Olive Garden
• Patsy Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria
• Subway

Stores

• Adidas
• Ann Taylor Factory
• Banana Republic Factory Store
• Bath and Body Works
• BCBG
• BCBGirls
• Best Buy
• Bose Factory Store
• Carter’s
• Converse
• Easy Spirit
• GameStop
• Gap Outlet
• GNC
• Guess Factory Store
• Gymboree Outlet
• Harry & David
• Jones New York
• Kasper
• Kenneth Cole
• Lane Bryant Outlet
• Leather Works
• Lucky Nails
• Michael Kors
• Nike Factory Store
• Nine West Outlet
• Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
• Old Farmer’s Almanac
• Osh Kosh B’Gosh
• Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th
• Samsonite Factory Outlet
• Scheels
• Skechers USA Outlet
• Sprint
• Styles for Less
• Target
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Vans
• Volcom

Celebrate Reno-Tahoe’s newest destination

Although the ribbon will be cut June 18, Legends is going to stretch the party all summer long. A grand opening celebration runs July 31-Aug. 9.  Events include a summer concert series, fashion show, celebrity appearances, fireworks and more. The opening events coincide with the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open PGA Tour event and Hot August Nights.

McAvoy Layne is The Ghost of Mark Twain in a special one night performance of Mark Twain’s Nevada from the Wild Stallion to the Automobile on June 13, at the National Automobile Museum, The Harrah Collection, in downtown Reno.  The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m.

Layne (whose resemblance to Mark Twain is eerie) begins his saga of Twain’s experience in Samuel Clemens’ boyhood home of Hannibal, MO and skips along “jaunty-jolly” to his piloting days on the Mississippi. The Twain scholar regales his audience with Twains hapless Civil War misadventures, where he admits “I was missing in action before a shot was fired.”

Layne’s portrayal of Mark Twain continues with his Overland journey to Nevada, culminating with his love affair with the “Lake of the Sky,” Lake Tahoe.

Since Twain loved technology, Layne will share some of the humorists’ first impressions of the newest form of transportation available in his day – the automobile.

A constantly lively part of every program is when Layne, as Mark Twain, takes questions from the audience.

Tickets for the one night only performance are $20 for adults and $10 for children and are available at the National Automobile Museum, 10 S. Lake St. in Reno.  A portion of the proceeds from this performance benefits the Museum, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. For more information on the National Automobile Museum, visit www.automuseum.org or call 775-333-9300.

Kick off Lake Tahoe’s Summer Season with the West Shore Association for the Third Annual Opening Day at the Lake!

Taking place Memorial Day Weekend, this classic Tahoe event is packed full of fun-filled summer activities. Kayaking, biking, big band dance parties, and restaurant deck opening parties are among only a few of the activities gracing the West Shore. For a full schedule of events, check it out online.

In the Sierra Nevada it’s known as the “shoulder season,” the period between ski season and summer. The kids are still in school and the crowds are thin. But spring is the time to get to Reno-Tahoe for a visit. Check out these spring highlights:

1 – Down by the River

A trickle turns to a roar as Tahoe snowmelt feeds the Truckee River in downtown Reno. The Riverwalk area is prime for lazy walks, shopping and a streamside drink under the sun. Read More

2 – Catch a Homer

A new ballpark has risen on the banks of the Truckee River. The Reno Aces, a Triple A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, offer exciting professional baseball action in the heart of the city. Read More

3 – Get Teed Off

Reno-Tahoe might be golf’s best-kept secret in the West. Here 50 courses from high-mountain to high-desert challenge players with variety at a great value. Read More

4 – Try Lady Luck

The gaming action is always hopping in Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe. Dozens of properties offer a unique experience on the casino floor. And who knows? You could get lucky. Read More

5 – Shop Till You Drop

Power shoppers have a new destination in Sparks. The Legends at Sparks Marina destination center is opening shops in phases, and it’s home to Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Star at nearly 300,000 square feet. Read More

6 – Cast a Lure

Cast a fly for big brown and rainbow trout, catch a cutthroat at Pyramid Lake, or hit the mackinaw in Lake Tahoe. Spring fishing is a right of passage for any Sierra Nevada adventurer. Read More

7 – Wine and Dine

A nice cab … perhaps a pinot or a chardonnay. Several downtown Reno establishments – including the West Street Wine Bar, Jungle Vino and the Siena Hotel Spa Casino – cater to wine-lovers pallets, while a fine-dining experience waits just around the corner. Read More

8 – Exit Stage Left

There’s always a show to see in Reno-Tahoe. The newest offering, Celtic Legends playing at the Eldorado Hotel Casino from May 15-July 26, offers Irish music and breathtaking dance on center stage. Read More

9 – Lake Tahoe

When the ski lifts stop turning, Lake Tahoe is all about beaches, sun and getting out on the water. Experience “Big Blue,” just a 45-minute drive from downtown Reno and Sparks. Read More

10 – Arts and Culture

Reno-Tahoe is the cultural hub of Northern Nevada, boasting 31 museums. The Nevada Museum of Art is an architectural delight housing local works and traveling exhibits. Or find your niche, with great offerings from the National Automobile Museum to the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Read More

In the Western United States, there may be no more exciting celebration of Cinco de Mayo than the annual Sparks, Nev., celebration May 2-3. Here, the festival claims more than 100,000 attendees. Northern Nevada’s rich Latino heritage is on display in the city’s Victorian Square.


A food-lover’s delight

Cinco de Mayo Festivalgoers have a virtual buffet at their fingertips, from classic Mexican specialties like tacos, flautas, burritos and barbecue, to south-of-the-border deserts and beverages. Dozens of local and regional vendors fill the square with their wares – so bring an empty stomach.

Center stage

The festival may be best known for the variety and quality of entertainment. The event features world-class music artists, hot new acts, dancing, Charro (equestrian) presentations, sporting events, film showcases, beauty pageants, gaming tournaments, auto showcase, and a gala banquet.

Cinco de Mayo at Victorian Square

• Where: Victorian Square in Sparks, Nev.
• When: May 2-3
• Highlights: Music from Ellas Son, Los Pilotos de Guamuchil, Los Pasteles Verdes, El Felino de Sinaloa; dozens of local and regional food vendors featuring specialty dishes; dance, auto, Charro, beauty pageant and sporting event exhibitions.

For more information on Northern Nevada’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, check out their Web site.

The crack of the bat, a hotdog and a cool beer under the warm sun in Reno-Tahoe … the first season for the Reno Aces is finally under way with a new ballpark on the banks of the Truckee River in downtown Reno.

Triple A baseball’s newest team will take to the field tonight with a home opener that promises to be a spectacle for both locals and visitors. And it’s a long time coming. Residents, investors and fans of the sport have long pursued the dream of building a world-class baseball stadium in the Reno-Sparks region, to take advantage of the region’s growing population, great weather and tourism base. The stadium, located in the heart of downtown Reno’s redevelopment district, offers another reason to head downtown – the Aces will offer 73 home games, playing in the exciting Pacific Coast League.

The stadium is just another in a long line of improvements to the visitor experience in Reno. The city’s “Renaissance” has included construction of a riverwalk district complete with boutiques, pubs, coffee shops, restaurants, a movie complex and public areas, including an outdoor amphitheater. Within the last couple years, train tracks through downtown Reno were rerouted through a trench to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, while part of the trench was covered, allowing for a new public space, a boon for the many special events held throughout the spring, summer and fall months.

Last fall saw the opening of the West Street Market, a rehabilitated commercial area that now houses a wine bar, a teahouse, coffee shops and stores. It also plays host to farmers and craft markets, as well as live performances.

Several city-style condominium projects in downtown have also enlivened the culture of the area, creating a new market for everything for everything from the arts to commerce. Downtown hotel-casinos have also undergone first-class remodels.

If you haven’t planned to attend a Reno Aces game yet, log on and get your tickets. Baseball is finally here and you’re going to love it.

They may be up to 68 years old but they scream around hairpin curves and demolish straightaways at speeds of up to 185 MPH.

They’re historic race cars and more than 100 Corvettes, Ferraris, Jaguars and Porsches along with Formula One, Can-Am and Winston Cup NASCAR-type stock cars will be competing in the 6th annual Reno Historic Races on May 1-3 at the Reno-Fernley Raceway, 30 minutes east of Reno.

Select racecars will parade through downtown Reno April 30 starting at 5:30 p.m. and will be showcased on West Street in front of the West Street Market until 8 p.m. as part of the Riverwalk District’s first Art Walk.

This year the Reno Historic Races are honoring Corvette with Grand Marshall Bob Bondurant.

The Reno Historic Races deliver an exciting blend of historic production and special purpose-built racecars. The historic cars are divided into groups according to make, age and horsepower.

The National Automobile Museum, The Harrah Collection, a not-for-profit organization, will benefit from a portion of ticket sales.

Test and tuning practice at Reno-Fernley Raceway, 1855 Hwy 95A starts at 9 a.m. Fri., May 1st at the raceway with races on Sat. & Sun., May 2nd and 3rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets for the three-day Reno Historic Races are $20 and are good for practice and both race days. They can be purchased at the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno at the corner of Lake and Mill streets.

For more information on the National Automobile Museum, call (775) 333-9300 or visit www.automuseum.org. For more information on the Reno Historic Races, call (818) 249-3515 or visit www.renohistorics.com.

- Courtesy National Automobile Museum.

The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra introduced its newest leader this week with the naming of Laura Jackson as conductor. Jackson brings a diverse background and an impressive resume.

Most recently, Jackson served as assistant conductor/American conducting fellow with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She has held several orchestral as well as academic posts, and has served as a guest conductor with numerous first-rate orchestras.

“Whenever you work with an orchestra, there’s always a chemistry element, and you never know what that’s going to be,” Jackson told the Reno-Gazette Journal. “With this orchestra, I felt an immediate chemistry. I really, genuinely mean that. I sort of fell in love. I felt that they were very willing to play with their entire soul. They put everything they had into it.”

In choosing Jackson, the Reno Philharmonic performed an extensive search, and showcased the five finalists during a program called “Last Conductor Standing.”

Jackson is the fourth conductor to lead the Reno Philharmonic, and the first woman. For more information on concerts and tickets, visit the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra online.