The weather is finally heating up and as is customary for this time of year in our neck of the woods – there is never a dull moment in Reno Tahoe USA. We’re helping you plan your weekend with a long list of fabulously funky events in our region. If you’re bored this weekend, it’s your own fault! Get outside and smell the sunshine! (Free attractions are highlighted by an asterisk.)

THURSDAY

*Sparks Hometown Farmers Market

Thursday, June 10, officially kicks off the farmers market at Victorian Square in Sparks, Nevada. Buy fresh and local at the weekly summertime celebration of good grub and family fun that runs through August 19. The markets features more than 100 vendors offering fresh-picked pro­duce, breads, pastries and gourmet foods, plus cooking demon­strations, live entertainment and unique items for the home and garden. The Farmers Market is held on Thursday evenings from 4–9 p.m. at Victorian Square in Sparks. Call 775-353-2291 for details or visit the City of Sparks’ Web site.

Octanefest

Head to Fallon, Nevada this weekend for a four-day powerhouse jamboree otherwise known as Octanefest that kicks off Thursday, June 10. The weekend will be packed with Rock Crawling, Arena Rock Racing, Mud Drags, Truck & Tractor Pulls, Tuff-Cross (Arena Enduro Racing), Motocross, Tuff-Truck and topped off with Grand Marshal Jeff Ward, Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Johnson and other amazing drivers behind the wheels of SuperLite trucks that will catch huge air on the custom built track. The racing action is just a start to the weekend.  There will be music, a vendor show, a show and shine and a motorsports swap meet.  This is event is sure to be fun for the entire family.

*Budget Friendly Cool Down for the Kids

Thursday, June 10, the Melio Gaspari Water Play Park at 7100 Pyramid Lake Highway, in Spanish Spring’s Lazy 5 Regional Park opens. For only $3, the little ones can cool off in the water play park that’s open five days a week through Sunday, August 29. Features include a giant sunflower sprinkler, spilling buckets, “spitting” horses, a water tower, and other cool stuff out of the Old West. Covered pavilions may be reserved for birthdays and other special events. Daily admission is $3 or it’s FREE for children under 3. Call (775) 424-1804 for more information. For more family ideas, click here.

FRIDAY

Carson City Rendezvous

This Friday through Sunday experience a Civil War reenactments, cowboy stunt shows, camel rides, a blacksmithing competition and live music, arts and crafts at the Carson City Rendezvous.

*Nevada Museum of Art: Free Admission!

The second Saturday of each month enjoy FREE admission to the state’s only accredited art museum! Check out the spectacular exhibits on display right now, including Fernando Botero’s Baroque World or The Human Touch. Afterward, treat yourself to a delicious lunch at the museum’s Café Musée.

SATURDAY

*Free Fishing Day!

Nevada’s annual Free Fishing Day will be Saturday, June 12. Anglers may fish in any public fishing water in the state without needing a fishing license or trout stamp. All limits and other regulations apply.

Once again, the Sparks Rotary Club, Nevada Department of Wildlife and the City of Sparks Parks and Recreation Department have joined forces to offer a special community event for the area’s children. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled morning of fishing along the south shore of the Sparks Marina from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Commemorative t-shirts and fishing poles will be distributed at the registration area until supplies run out. There will be fun games and face painting for all ages, and a free barbecue lunch will begin at 9 a.m. with hot dogs, soda and ice cream for registered children.

*Western Heritage Festival

Celebrate life in the West at the SparksMuseum’s 2nd Annual Western Heritage Festival on Saturday, June 12^th.  This free to the public, outdoor event will be held from 2 pm to 7 pm on the grounds surrounding the museum, located on the on the corner of Pyramid Way & Victorian Avenue.

“Never to be forgotten” traditions and skills are highlighted throughout the day in this fun for the whole family event.   Cowboy poet Larry Maurice leads the show as master of ceremonies. Virginia City native Rich Elloyan’s western music depicts not only his love for Nevada and songs of the land, but as a he adds a unique perspective on the history of the developing west. Lenny Walker a real life train conductor takes us back to Sparks founding singing songs of Railroad lore.

Youngsters get into the spirit with Dummy Roping and leather stamping. Demonstrators will be teaching handmade saddle making, lariat basket art, quilting, spinning, weaving and more.  Jewelers and other artists and crafters display their wares while the wild burros and horse bring the county to town.

Go back in time with Azteca Aztlan dancing in colorful costumes, the Little Warriors drumming the Paiute beat and the Reno Promenaders square dancing to John Hall’s call.

As an added bonus, the Museum is currently featuring Ellis Island: The Lost Mural by Andrew Sabori.  This 19 panel, 84 foot long mural depicts the role of the immigrant in the development of America. (Regular admission fees apply – Children under 12 are free, Adults $5).

High Tech Treasure Hunt

Spent your Saturday afternoon (June 12) along the shores of Lake Tahoe hunting for more than 100 prizes in the sand. Join hundreds of others as you explore South Lake Tahoe on an exciting high-tech treasure hunt. GPS Receivers and a downloadable Passport Clue Book will guide you to your prizes. Grab a partner (or not – that way you don’t have to share) and your adventure on!

Pirate Pub Crawl

When you’ve finished searching for treasure along the shores of South Tahoe, grab yer matees for the 2010 Pirate Crawl in downtown Reno on June 12th from 5 – 10 p.m. Complete with a Rum Tasting Competition, challenge ye fellow scalliwags to a night of shenanigans dressed in yer finest sea-faring rags. Wooden peg or not, we’ll accept you. Just leave that yapping parrot at home. We’ll have enough yo-ho’ing that night to keep the city awake all night.

Mark Twain’s Wild West Weekend

Take the kiddos to Zephyr Cove to celebrate Mark Twain style, with cherry pie eating contests, chili cook offs and cowboy poetry and music. The event runs from June 12-13 starting at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.

SUNDAY

Reno Film Festival

The 10th Annual Reno Film Festival is celebrating a decade of spectacular talent and renown directors from all over the world. Running from June 13-20, the annual event features a packed schedule of movie screenings, parties, discussion groups and Q&A sessions. This year, Pilar Alessandra is the keynote speaker. Alessandra is the director of the Los Angeles writing program and has worked as a senior story analyst for Dream Works and Radar Pictures. Don’t miss this opportunity to rub elbows with some truly talented folk.

We have a fever, and the only prescription is more Bieber.

There are only 43 days, 1051 hours and 63,106 minutes until the Justin Bieber show in Reno, Nevada, and the show is sold out! If your daughter is moping around the house because you failed to snag a pair of tickets for her and her bff, you’re in luck. Circus Circus Reno and Z93.7 are hooking you up big time with not only tickets to the show but a meet and greet with the 16-year-old babe. It’s the ultimate opportunity to be totally Bieberized!

On July 18, Bieber Fever will take over Reno Tahoe USA. High-pitched screams and tear-stained faces will fill up the Reno Events Center as the 16-year-old singing sensation performs his slew of  hit songs.

Justin Bieber appeared on NBC’s Today Show Friday, June 4, and spoke about his upcoming tour. “It starts in like a couple of weeks, so I’m really excited,” Bieber told the Today Show. “There’s going to be a lot of lights and a lot of, like, magic stuff, which is going to be cool.”

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Justin Bieber. Simply enter the Meet Justin Giveaway promotion. One entry ticket will be given out for each purchased meal in the Courtyard Buffet Fridays – Tuesdays from 4 – 9 p.m. through July 11 –come in with your family of four, enjoy a great meal at the buffet, and get four entries into the promotion!

There will be on Meet Justin Giveaway prize package awarded each Thursday nigh at 7:00 p.m. on the Midway stage from June 17 – July 15. Each prize package includes a meet and greet with Justin Bieber for two, two tickets to the concert on July 18, and dinner for up to four at the Courtyard Buffet. The winner must be present and have the matching entry half to claim the package. Full rules and details are posted at the Courtyard Buffett or at the Circus Circus Web site.

A free entry is available at Z93.7 on Matley Lane with no purchase necessary.

On Sunday, April 25, head to the Silver Legacy Resort Casino stairwell to take part in the “Fight for Air Climb”. Support the American Lung Association and help raise awareness for lung health and clean air by climbing 36 flights of stairs.

One flight of stairs is an average of ten steps. 36 flights equal 360 steps. One mile is roughly 2,000 steps, so in this race you’ll climb merely a fraction of that. (0.022369362912 of a mile to be exact.)

The event starts at 9:45 a.m. Local firefighters will start at 10 a.m. in full fire gear!

Last year, 52 other cities across the nation participated in stair climb events with the American Lung Association.  For more information or to register for this event, visit the event website.

Sure, you’re sopped in on Earth Day 2010, but it is after all HER day and Mother Earth can do as she pleases. Plus, you can let your sprinklers take a break and let her do all of the work.

People across the Reno Tahoe area are getting creative on ways to give back to the planet on the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day celebrations. Below you’ll find a list of events in Reno Tahoe starting tonight and lasting through your weekend. (We’re expecting some sunshine by Friday!)

Tonight, April 22, take your little ones on a kid-friendly sunset stroll guided by Galena naturalists from the Great Basin Institute. The evening walk through the forest at Galena Creek Regional Park is from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Enter the park through the north entrance and meet near the restrooms. The stroll is subject to weather conditions, so please call (775) 674-5475, ext. 4, on the day of the program to confirm and RSVP. All ages are welcome and the suggested donation is $2 per person. Galena Creek Regional Park is at 18350 Mt. Rose Highway.

The Siena in downtown Reno is saluting Earth Day on Thursday, April 22 with 99-cent green beer, mixers, live music, a special fashion show and unique Earth Day Spin to Win which could net players $500. The Siena will match every dollar won in free play with the purchase of Emission Reduction Credits.  The fashion show kicks off at 7 p.m. in the Loft, featuring styles from Night Kind Burner Gear, Prism Magic’s Lucious Ladies, Vicki Lowell McGuiness, Junkee Recycled Clothing, Kalifornia Jean Bar, Veronica Coleman and others.  A live D.J. will spin the tunes and drink specials. To learn more visit the Siena’s Web site.

Saturday, April 24 check out the Bourgeouis Gypsies as they perform at the Alpine Meadows Spring Music Series. Straight from Sierraville, the Bourgeouis Gypsies have wandered across the country sharing their “hillbilly” mix of country, blues, swamp ballads, and homespun hillbilly heartbreaks. This five-member band shows exactly how much heart they have through the depth of their music. For more information visit their Web site.

Learn how to raise your own poultry and other animals, including ducks, rabbit s and bees, in the garden on Saturday, April 24 at the River School in Reno. Visit their Web site for more information.

People of all ages are invited to attend the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 24 at Squaw Valley USA. Families can learn about recycling, composting, alternative energy, sustainability, watershed and forest health. The festival will feature numerous vendors, speakers and live music! Visit their Web site for more information.

Sunday, April 25 take the whole gang (minus your pet – sorry, City of Reno policy) down to Idlewild Park for Reno’s 21^st Annual Earth Day celebration. (The forecasted high that day is 71°!) The day will feature music on a biofuel-powered stage, sustainability workshops, children’s activities, a sustainable farmers’ market, free recycling for stuff like cell phones, booths with earth-friendly food, goods, and services. Over 200 vendors will be there and you’ll enjoy a variety of live entertainment all day.

Earth Day is organized by Nevada EcoNet. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. Free parking and a free shuttle service to Idlewild Park will be available at nearby Reno High School, 395 Booth Street. If you ride a bike, roller blades, or skateboard, free valet service at Idlewild Park will be offered by the Reno Bike Project. For more information, call Nevada EcoNet at (775) 323-3433.

It’s hard to imagine our lives without them now, but there was a time when owning, let alone driving a car was a rare opportunity. The creation of the vehicle forever changed our world, and a new exhibit at the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno showcases a unique impact that cars had on our society.

Family getaways to our nation’s breathtaking National Parks were made possible by the automobile-loving public of the 1910s who helped create a National Park-to-Park Highway. The new Masterpiece Exhibit, “Motoring Tourist: National Parks Adventure”, explores this influential group of thrill-seekers, opening Tuesday, April 20, 2010.

In the late 1910s, automobiles were able to bring man to nature like never before and the National Park Service embraced the motoring tourist creating a gigantic 5,000 mile scenic loop through 11 western states, connecting 12 national parks.

Check out the innovative gear and auto camping accessories that were created to meet the needs of the new trend at the Museum Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $4 for children 6 to 18 years.  Children age 5 and younger are free. Parking is free in the Museum lot. For more information, call (775) 333-9300 or visit The National Automobile Museum.

If you live in Reno or have been lucky enough to visit, you know it’s a no-brainer. It’s a great getaway, let alone a fantastic place to reside. There’s never a dull moment in the Biggest Little City, from year-round entertainment, recreational options galore and all at an affordable cost. Men’s Journal Magazine recognizes Reno’s AAA Aces ballpark, the Riverwalk District, Artown and the city’s proximity to abundant outdoor recreations as several reasons why Reno had to be among the top 25 cities for “Best Places to Live 2010”, according to the April issue of Men’s Journal magazine.

The top 25 cities were included in various categories and determined by three variables including median home price, cost of living compared to the rest of the United States and number of sunny days per year.  Reno is featured as tops for “Ski and Climb Without the Crowds” listing Reno’s median home price as $274,670, its cost of living as 13 percent higher than the rest of the nation, and boasting 252 sunny days per year.

“Having Reno named one of the best places to live is a huge honor for our city and residents,” said Reno Mayor Bob Cashell.  “We all know why we love this place, but the national recognition helps build credibility for our city as a top place to live, work and raise a family.  It also gets the word out about what makes our city so special including our downtown baseball park, Artown and burgeoning downtown.”

“Reno making a top places to live list helps increase awareness nationwide that Reno Tahoe is a happening place where locals and visitors alike can enjoy all this area offers, from downtown fun to high altitude adventure.” said Ellen Oppenheim, Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) President and CEO.  “The recent investment in area hotel-casino properties, spas and restaurants are additional outstanding amenities locals and visitors can take advantage of.”

The April issue of Men’s Journal featuring the “Best Places to Live 2010” is on newsstands now or visit www.mensjournal.com.

Men’s Journal has previously ranked Reno’s historic Old Southwest as one of ‘The Best Neighborhoods in America’ in their June 2009 issue.

We’ve been tooting our own horn for a while. It’s nice to get some validation, though, dontcha think?

Aces hat? Check.

Aces foam finger? Check.

Hotdog and Cracker Jack? Che… Cracker Jack?!

Whatever gets your heart pumping for Aceball, we won’t judge you. We will point fingers and laugh, though, if you don’t make it out to Aces Ballpark tonight at 6:05 p.m. for the second season opener against the Fresno Grizzlies. As expected, the Aces are rolling out the red carpet to welcome back all of the anxious fans with pre-game fireworks and the much-anticipated debut of the Freight House District. Have you seen that place?! It’s the newest downtown development with year-round dining and entertainment. Duffy’s Ale House and Bugsy’s Sports Bar and Grill will open for business at 2 p.m. today.

Why not revolve your entire weekend around Aceball? After all, the weather is perfect and you know you’ve been waiting for this moment all year. Friday night, the Aces will give away 2,500 magnet schedules so you’ll never miss a game. On Saturday, 3,000 fans will get an Aces fleece blanket, to keep you warm in those nail-biter extra innings.

Don’t forget, after every Friday, Saturday and Sunday game, all children 12 and under are invited to run the bases on the Aces Ballpark infield.

The weekend games start at 7:05 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 1:05 p.m.

Single-game tickets for all games start at just $7, while ticket plans for the 2010 season start at just $220. Call (775) 334-7000 for ticket info, visit the Aces Ballpark box office or head to www.RenoAces.com.

The owners of Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery will open a new restaurant in June 2010 in downtown Reno at 300 E. Second St., adjacent to the Reno Aces baseball stadium. The new restaurant will include a restaurant specializing in pizza made famous at Silver Peak’s original location, a full-service bar and restricted gaming. The owners have not yet named the new restaurant given its primary focus on pizza, but diners can expect a “Silver Peak-esque” twist to its identity.

“The construction of Aces Ballpark creates an opportunity for us to again participate in the revitalization of our downtown corridor,” said Silverman. “We’re excited to be part of the process, and look forward to seeing lots of locals and tourists enjoying the Freight House District area.”

Owners Schmidt and Silverman opened the first Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery location on Wonder Street in Reno in 1999 and a second location in downtown Reno in 2004. Silver Peak is known throughout northern Nevada for its unique and original selection of food and beers brewed at its Wonder Street location.

The owners have no plans to make any changes to the original Wonder Street location, but are evaluating their total presence and priorities in the downtown Reno area.

300 E. Second is a 15-story tower and is located in downtown Reno, centrally located immediately across E. Second Street from the Reno Aces baseball stadium and within walking distance of City Hall, the County Courthouse and the Federal Court Building, Park Center Tower features panoramic views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains, Truckee Meadows and downtown Reno. The facility also offers direct access to Interstate-80, the Amtrak station and all major bus lines.

Happy Chinese New Year!  The year of the Tiger will be celebrated in several locations throughout Reno Tahoe.

Join the Reno Pops Orchestra, Saturday, Feb. 6 at 7:00 PM, in a celebration of the Chinese New Year in UNR’s Nightingale Concert Hall. Follow Marco Polo along the Silk Road to China through music, and end with a Chinese New Year celebration. They will feature two young local soloists from the Huang family on a variety of Chinese folk instruments, as well as other performers. The Orchestra program includes “On the Steppes of Central Asia”, “Procession of the Sardar”, themes from “Mulan”, and some unique pieces for Chinese orchestra arranged for western orchestral instrumentation. The concert is Free, but they are always happy to receive donations to help cover the cost of the concert.

Come see a special Chinese Concert featuring Michael Tse, Jordan Chan and Alice Lau on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Reno Events Center.
Jordan originally entered the entertainment business as a backup dancer, before switching to a successful career as a comedian. In 1994 he released his debut Cantonese-language album and established his unique position in Hong Kong pop music for over a decade now.
Alice Lau is well known for her acting; people generally know her from her performance in “I have a date with Spring.” She is also known for her Cantonese-language music.
Michael Tse graduated from TVB’s Dance Training Class and worked with TVB as a dancer for 5 years. He then left TVB and formed a boy band called Wind Fire Sea with Jordan Chan and Jason Chu. Tse participated Hong Kong’s first modern musical Snow Wolf Lake in 1997.

The Silver Legacy will be ringing in the year of the Tiger with an authentic Lion/Dragon dance in celebration of Chinese New Year!
The lion and dragon dance symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the year to come and is an important ritual of Chinese culture. The Chinese consider Lions as guardians and are used to exorcise evil spirits and summon luck and fortune. Dragons are considered to be friendly and helpful creatures associated with strength, good fortune, wisdom and longevity.
The ceremonial lion and dragon dance will happen Feb 13-15 and 19-21,  Click here for all times. The Lion/Dragon will make its way through the mezzanine level of Silver Legacy Casino and the Mezzanine, spreading its good luck where ever it goes. The colorful spectacle will feature a parade of dancers and musicians dressed in elaborate costumes playing authentic music.

恭喜發財,利是逗來

A group of 150 Megabucks fans from across the U.S., $100 each and Silver Legacy Resort Casino make for what one man calls “one of the biggest and happiest families…” On Thursday, February 11, that family-Richard “Frosty” Frost and his comrades- will make their 10th annual trip to Silver Legacy Resort Casino for a chance to win Millions. The group will pull the handle of the Megabucks machine from 10am-12pm.

The avid Silver Legacy fan says this tradition makes the trip from Berlin, Wisconsin worth taking.

“Silver Legacy treats me and my constituents like real people. They have been very, very nice to me and they take good care of our group,” said Frost. “Everybody there has been just great; from casino hosts to gaming directors… it’s just a tremendous place to be…I wouldn’t want to be any other place.”

Frost’s group of gamblers started with six or seven people each throwing $100 into the pot and pulling the handle for a piece of the Million-dollar Megabucks pie. Now, a decade later, 150 people put in $100 and run $15, 000 through the Megabucks machine. The event has become so popular; there is a waiting list to join the group.

“They like the interest, they like the thrill of the idea that $100 might get them $50,000 a piece for a hundred dollar investment,” said Frost.

The Megabucks progressive jackpot is already over $10 Million.  Click here to see!