Lemons, tomatoes and pears… o my! The 2013 Sparks Farmers’ Market officially starts today, June 6, on Victorian Avenue, directly in front of John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

Each week of the Farmer’s Market offers new themes, community group involvement, exciting stage music and street performers. The event takes place every Thursday evening, June 6 – August 22, 2013 (except July 7 and August from 3:00pm to 8:00pm.

Shoppers will be able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables directly from local and regional farmers, along with items from various vendors, and try out food from some of our local food trucks.

There will also be a Kids’ Area, complete with fun and educational activities for children, on the plaza near the movie theater. The Sparks Farmers’ Market is a family-friendly event.

Nevada Museum of Art

A Real Van Gogh?
An Unsolved Art World Mystery

April 13, 2013 – August 25, 2013

In 1948, William Goetz, the famed Hollywood producer, head of Universal Pictures, and legendary art collector, purchased a painting attributed to Vincent Van Gogh for $50,000. Although it was acquired from a reputable art dealer and deemed genuine by a prominent Van Gogh expert at the time, debate about the painting’s authenticity ignited an art world controversy that impacted U.S. foreign affairs. More…

Jacob Hashimoto
Here in Sleep, a World, Muted to a Whisper

November 16, 2010 – June 16, 2013

In anticipation of the Museum’s 80th Anniversary in 2011, contemporary artist Jacob Hashimoto was commissioned to create a large-scale, site-specific artwork to hang in the Donald W. Reynolds Grand Hall. Hashimoto’s sculpture—fabricated from thousands of small “kites”—is made from bamboo-stiffened rice papers not unlike those used for centuries to make traditional Japanese kites.

The Discovery

Learn about the Truckee River and get a little wet!

Ongoing Exhibit

Gently flowing beneath Cloud Climber, Truckee Connects meanders through as a working representation of the Truckee River watershed from the chilly depths of Lake Tahoe to the shimmering shores of Pyramid Lake. A fun and interactive opportunity to learn about the many uses of water such as recreation, irrigation, hydroelectric power, and wildlife; Truckee Connects provides opportunities to experiment with water and explore many of its properties.

National Automobile Museum

Celebrity Autos

Ongoing Exhibit

The Museum’s amazing collection includes vehicles owned by celebrities and vehicles that are stars in their own right having appeared in feature films.

EVENTS

Barrio Block Party at the Nevada Art Museum

A free Barrio Block Party at the Museum on Saturday, June 8, from 10 am – 4 pm to kick-off Summer and celebrate our current exhibition “Voces y Visiones.” The Museum will be open and free to all with free hands-on art projects, face-painting and live performances – including Voces artist Miguel Luciano’s “Pimp My Piragua” shave ice bike.

The Discovery After Dark

A night at the museum exclusively for 7^th, 8^th and 9^th graders, June 14, 2013, from 6-9pm.

Green Dot Journey: Fiddling Along America’s Byways

Hang on for an American ride of adventure and freedom featuring violinist Vanessa Porter, Wednesday, July 3, 6– 8:30 p.m.

Get ready for the rumble – Street Vibrations Spring Rally is rolling into Sparks, June 7-9!

Fun for the Entire Family

Street Vibrations® Spring Rally is free to the public.  Motorcycle participants pay a fee to ride in poker runs and walks, be involved in bike games, attend VIP parties, receive an official rally shirt and ride pin and enjoy premium secured bike parking.

Crowd pleasing live entertainment; including, arm wrestling competitions,  slow races and thrilling motorcycle stunt shows are planned throughout the three-day event.

Globe of Death

John Stotts exhibits unbelievable speed and controlled balance in his Globe of Death.

Live Entertainment

Enjoy a variety of bands performing a wide spectrum of music throughout the event. You’ll find contemporary rock from Adrenalin, southern rock from Rockin’ Down the Highway, non-stop blues from Jason King and the Rick Hammond Blues Band and biker rock ‘n roll from Nevada Hazzurd. John Ascuaga’s Nugget Celebrity Showroom will host the Alan Parsons Live Project, Sat., June 8 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $39. This British rock band known for “Eye in the Sky” and “Games People Play” puts on a great show.

Examine Rolling Rembrandts

The Saturday Ride-in Show during Street Vibrations® Spring Rally from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. allows participants to showcase their bikes.  The show also provides motorcycle enthusiasts with a chance to check out the amazing artwork, chrome and customization on some of the finest bikes in the West.

Special Event Locations

Most Street Vibrations® Spring Rally event activity will start, end or take place entirely on the West Events Plaza at the Nugget, but the Rally has expanded to include some additional locations.

Chester’s Reno Harley-Davidson is an official Street Vibrations® Spring Rally Venue and the Market Street dealership will be hopping throughout the weekend with live entertainment and great deals.

Virginia City will provide VIP parking, host live entertainment and sponsor a poker walk for Street Vibrations® Spring Rally participants.

Street Vibrations Spring Rally Schedule of Events at John Ascuaga’s Nugget:

Friday, June 7:
2:00 p.m. – Vendors open for business
2:00 p.m. –Music by the Cindy Graf Duo
4:00 p.m. – Globe of Death motorcycle stunt show
4:15 p.m. – Live Entertainment from Adrenaline Band
5:00 p.m. – Flag Raising Ceremony by Spanish Springs High’s JROTC
5:15 p.m. – Slow Bike Races
6:00 p.m. – Globe of Death motorcycle stunt show
8:00 p.m. – Globe of Death motorcycle stunt show
8:00 p.m. – The Vegas Road Show in the Nugget’s Casino Cabaret

Saturday, June 8:
10:00 a.m. – Vendors open for business
10:00 a.m. – Ride-in Show in the VIP Parking Area
10:00 a.m. – Poker Run to Virginia City
11:00 a.m. – Live Entertainment, Rockin’ Down the Highway Band
12:00 p.m. – Live Entertainment, Suspect Zero
12:45 p.m. – Globe of Death Motorcycle Stunt Show
2:00 p.m. – Slow Bike Races
3:00 p.m. – Globe of Death motorcycle stunt show
3:15 p.m. – Live Entertainment – Jason King Band
4:00 p.m. – Flag Raising Ceremony by Spanish Springs High’s JROTC
5:00 p.m. – Globe of Death motorcycle stunt show
7:00 p.m. – Globe of Death motorcycle stunt show
7:15 p.m. – Arm Wrestling Competition at the Main Stage
8:00 p.m. – The Vegas Road Show in the Nugget’s Casino Cabaret
9:00 p.m. – The Alan Parsons Project Live in the Nugget’s Celebrity Showroom (Tickets: $39)

Sunday, June 9:
10:00 a.m. – Vendors open for business
10:00 a.m. – Live Entertainment, Rick Hammond Blues Band
11:45 a.m. – Globe of Death Motorcycle Stunt Show
1:00 p.m. – Slow Bike Races
1:45 p.m. – Globe of Death motorcycle stunt show
2:15 p.m. – Live Entertainment – Nevada Hazzurd
4:00 p.m. – Globe of Death Motorcycle Stunt Show
7:00 p.m. – The Vegas Road Show in the Nugget’s Casino Cabaret

Contact Information

To see a complete Street Vibrations® Spring Rally schedule and a detailed program visit www.roadshowsreno.com.  Apps are now available for iPhones and iPads on the Web Site.  For more event information call 775-329-7469

WHO: Hot August Nights and Barrett-Jackson

WHAT: The inaugural Hot August Nights Auction presented by Barrett-Jackson will take place Thursday, Aug. 8, through Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Bid on some of the most recognizable and historic automobiles in the world and purchase your dream car at “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™.” Tickets are available at http://www.barrett-jackson.com/reno-tahoe/tickets.

WHEN:                 Thursday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 10

WHERE:              Reno-Sparks Convention Center – 4590 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89502

WHY: Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Ariz., Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas, Nev., and Reno Tahoe, Nev. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

Barrett-Jackson Announces Three Bonus Hours Of Live TV Coverage During Inaugural Hot August Nights Auction August 8-10, 2013

Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, announced today that for the first time ever, it will broadcast three bonus hours of its inaugural Hot August Nights auction on FUEL TV, taking place at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Aug. 8-10, 2013.

The live coverage on FUEL TV will broadcast on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 5pm-8PM EDT, in addition to streaming video on SpeedTV.com. Fans can also catch the action on SPEED during the channel’s 16 hours of live, high definition TV coverage on Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 8 – 10.

Broadcast times are as follows and viewers are encouraged to check local listings:

• SPEED Broadcast
  • Thursday, Aug. 8: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. EDT
  • Friday, Aug. 9: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. EDT
  • Saturday, Aug. 10: 2 p.m.-5 p.m., 8 p.m.-11 p.m. EDT
• FUEL TV Bonus Broadcast and Live Streaming
  • Saturday, Aug. 10: 5 p.m.-8 p.m. EDT.

“Hot August Nights is considered to be one of the world’s best automotive festivals, which is why we are excited to offer three additional hours of our inaugural Reno Tahoe auction on FUEL TV,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We are making sure that the cars that cross the block are spectacular and represent all facets of the collector car world. Whether you’re joining us in Reno, watching the action on SPEED, FUEL TV or on the web, there will be something for everyone at Barrett-Jackson.”

Adding to the nation’s premier classic car and nostalgia festival, Hot August Nights, Barrett-Jackson will feature hundreds of rare classics, exotics, muscle cars, hot rods, resto-mods and contemporary collectibles on its famous auction block at no reserve. Thousands of spectators and collectors from around the world are expected to participate in the historic automotive lifestyle event.

Barrett-Jackson also invites car fans to participate in the Barrett-Jackson Cup™, which will be awarded during the 2013 Downtown Reno Show-n-Shine. The event will include a $40,000

prize purse, with $20,000 being awarded to the car that earns the coveted Ultimate Best of Show Award. Judging will take place Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Saturday, Aug. 10, with the riveting Awards Presentation happening in Downtown Reno under a spectacular fireworks display presented by the Silver Legacy Resort Casino.

“Between the cars, the Barrett-Jackson Cup and $40,000 prize purse, this event is sure to make Barrett-Jackson history,” said Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. “Having three bonus hours on FUEL TV and 16 hours of live coverage on SPEED only adds to the excitement of this event. I can’t wait to experience Reno with our amazing fans in the audience and watching at home.”

For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com/reno-tahoe/tickets/.

USE OUR DISCOUNT CODE

ENTER TO WIN

Win tickets to Xtreme Bulls – the opening night of the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West!”

TO ENTER:

Tweet to us @renotahoe why you want to win the tickets and hashtag #RenoRodeo to enter to win!

One tweet = one entry. Max. one entry per day, per person.

Prize:

Each winner will receive two (2) reserved grandstand seating tickets for Xtreme Bulls (June 20, 7:00pm)

About the event:

Xtreme Bulls opens the Reno Rodeo and features 40 of the world’s best professional bull riders and 40 of the best bulls in the country.  It’s a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event. Money won on the Xtreme Bulls Tour counts toward the PRCA World Standings, which determine the qualifiers for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.   The Tour has a combined purse of $465,000 and the Reno event features a $40,000 purse.  Fans will be on their feet the entire night.

Contest Ends:

June 13

Winners Selected:

June 14

Good Luck, Cowboy! (And Cowgirls!)

Longer hours create additional opportunities at The Discovery

Beginning Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th and continuing through Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd, the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery) will add Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. New hours are 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.; and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.

“We’re anticipating a busy, fun-filled summer season and have planned accordingly,” said Patrick Turner, marketing manager. “Being open on Mondays will provide a much needed additional day for members, locals and tourists to explore the museum, learn and have fun.”

In additional to the extended hours, The Discovery is offering six weeks of summer camps for children entering 1st through 7th grade. Topics range from art to engineering to zombie invasion survival. More information and registration is available on The Discovery’s website.

The Discovery to host adults-only “Social Science” event on June 1st

June 1, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

A 21 and over event featuring libations from local brewers and bars and fare from local food truck favorites. Eateries include Gourmelt, Burger Me, Lazy Sundae and Traffic Jam with beer and wine provided by Craft, Great Basin Brewing Co. and Silver Peak Brewery. Inside the museum, guests get to be kids again by participating in exciting science demos, clever art projects and open museum exploration. Tickets can be purchased online at www.nvdm.org or at the museum’s admission desk during museum hours. The ticket price includes admission to museum, a commemorative cup, two drinks and participation in the art activities and science demos.

Upromise “5.29 Day” at The Discovery

May 29, 10:00am – 8:00pm

The Discovery invites families to celebrate education and the future of our children for “5.29 Day,” sponsored by the SSgA Upromise 529 Plan. Children age 17 and under get free admission to the museum and can enjoy a day full of special events meant to inspire. Adult admission is $8 until 4:00pm and $4.00 after 4:00pm.

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

WHEN: Friday, May 24, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: John Ascuaga’s Nugget – Roof Garden Parking Lot (Victorian Ave. & Victorian Plaza Cir.)
COST: Free to Attend and Free to Register your Redneck Truck

The 2^nd Annual Redneck Rodeo Truck show will kick off Country Crossroads Memorial Day Weekend at its new location at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort. Whether you’re the proud owner of one of the area’s best redneck trucks, or you just want to check out some of the dirtiest, most redneck trucks Northern Nevada has to offer, the Redneck Rodeo Truck Show will have it all!

Stop by from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24 for lots of redneck fun! John Ascuaga’s Nugget is turning the truck show into a redneck tailgate party, selling delicious BBQ and beer for you to enjoy as you walk around and help judge the show!

Redneck truck owners – there are still spots left to register your truck for the show! You could win a $250 Summit Racing gift certificate, tickets to the Reno Rodeo, or dinner for two at The Rotisserie Buffet at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. To register, visit: tinyurl.com/rednecktruck. Thanks to sponsors Reno Dodge, Coors and Dynagraphics Printing, it is now FREE to register your truck!

Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:

People’s Choice – Best Redneck Truck

• Most Truckable
• Dirtiest
• Best Dodge – Sponsored by Reno Dodge
• Best Granddaddy Rig – Classic Truck
• Best Nevadatude
• Most Patriotic
• Best Hick Chick Truck

For photos of last year’s event, visit: http://bit.ly/14inSQr, or see the Redneck Rodeo Truck Show photo album on Reno Rodeo’s Facebook Page.

The Redneck Rodeo Truck Show kicks off Country Crossroads at John Ascuaga’s Nugget, featuring country artists Gloriana on May 24, Jerrod Niemann on May 25, and Dwight Yoakam on May 26. To buy tickets to these shows, please visit www.janugget.com.

Written by guest blogger: Aimee Claire

Situated on the beautiful California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is spoken of with bated breath by vacationers, and is a stunning testimonial to the United States’ classic Big Country. It’s a diverse location, with four main shores each with a different character; all with azure waters, lovely beaches and snow-capped mountains in the background.

Where is North Lake Tahoe?

The North Lake Tahoe coast on the Nevada side is a relatively quiet, upmarket affair.  It is part of the Nevada State Park, and it is very well looked after. The area can be identified via the southwards meandering of Highway 28 until it reaches Spooner Lake and US Route 50. Highway 28 takes the traveler through heavily wooded pine forests with blue skies overhead, and with plenty of wildlife to be seen.

Obviously, this type of backdrop lends itself to outdoors pursuits of all kinds, and the choice of holiday amusement is dependent on the places where travelers stay. The choices are many, even in the relatively unsullied North Lake Tahoe area, and there is something for every desire, guaranteed.

The best places to be

Three of the best places to visit for first time travelers to the area are Incline Village, Crystal Bay, and Sand Harbor; all three are great activity bases and there are differing types of accommodations available.

Incline Village

For a relaxing game of golf in the summer months, hiking, mountain biking, or horse riding, Incline Village (named for the Great Incline Tramway, built by loggers back in 1878) is the place to stay. During the winter, and early spring, diehard skiers and snowboarders can plunge through the annual average 10 feet of snow to their hearts’ content, although the less sporting visitor can still enjoy it with the yearly North Lake Tahoe SnowFest, involving parades, competitions, parties and theater.

The Hyatt High Sierra Lodge condos can be rented on a nightly basis, or savvy regulars can buy timeshares in that location, making it a good value, comfort-driven stay. For travelers who prefer hotel set ups, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa and Casino provides 4.5* accommodation with all the trappings, but if a cheap hotel with bed and breakfast is required, the Parkside Inn offers lovely big rooms and a continental breakfast; it is recommended to book with them direct, rather than through an affiliate travel site.

Crystal Bay

For those that prefer to play in the casinos of Nevada, Crystal Bay offers four of these buzzing establishments, which include hotels and restaurants, allowing game play, water sports, live entertainment and excellent food for the duration of any stay. The Cal-Neva Casino Resort has a swimming pool that crosses the state line, and the staff service there is impeccable.

Sand Harbor

Sand Harbor is the real North Lake Tahoe home of water sports, with Jet Ski rentals that allow visitors to explore the entire coastline of the area if they wish. There’s also scuba diving and kayaking for a couple of quieter ways to investigate the beautiful clear crystal waters. The beach at Sand Harbor is renowned for the cleanest standards and even in the summer months is unlikely to be overcrowded.

Sand Harbor itself has no accommodations, so the nearest places to stay are based at Incline Village, and slightly further away at Crystal Bay.