On June 27, the stars of women’s bowling will compete under the stars in downtown Reno!

5:00-7:00pm       Street Festival (adjacent to the bowling lanes) on N. Virginia Street

7:00pm                 Opening Ceremonies (under the Reno Arch)

7:30pm                 Competition begins (approx. 2 hours)

Competition:

Bowling’s US Women’s Open is bowling’s most prestigious event. This is the first US Open brand event to be held in Reno!

Over 300 of bowling’s greatest women players will go head to head in qualifying rounds to earn one of five coveted spots in the finals, which will be held on the evening of June 27, literally under the stars in downtown Reno. Four bowling lanes are being constructed on N. Virginia Street, with the Reno arch as the backdrop. One of these five finalists could potentially win a $1,000,000 if they bowl a perfect match!

The competition will be televised on ESPN2 next week (July 3) – see if you make it in the crowd shots!

There will be several large screens positioned along the street festival area so everyone is sure to catch the action. (There is limited reserved bleacher seating, for event sponsors and their guests.)

Street Festival:

There is plenty more than just bowling balls rolling around the streets of downtown Reno. Located adjacent to the competition lanes, enjoy a FREE admission to the street festival! Food and beverage will available for sale, courtesy of the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus. Stop by the Reno Tahoe USA special events displays, as well as displays from the major bowling sponsors.

Join the Eldorado in celebrating the 30^th Annual Great Italian Festival Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9.

For 30 years, crowds from near and far return to the Italian Fest to indulge in fan favorites; including, the Grape Stomp, Sauce Cookers Competition, an Italian Farmer’s Market and everyone’s favorite homemade Italian Buffet.  A few new highlights are adding more Italian flavor to the mix in what promises to be a robust celebration of everything Italy.

The fun runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.  Try your hand at the art of wine making during the Grape Stomp, open to Festival-goers of all ages Saturday or play a bit of Bocce Ball on the Eldorado’s Train Trench Plaza.  The Bocce Tournament for competitive players begins Saturday at 8 a.m. with a $10 signup fee.  Not sure how to play?  Stop by Sunday for free beginner and family play starting at 10 a.m.

Competition at the Italian Festival isn’t all about Bocce Ball, it’s also about who makes the best pasta sauce.  A crowd favorite year after year continues to be the Great Italian Festival Sauce Cook-off.  Italian families from across the west coast bring their “secret recipes” to life right on the street for guests to taste.  Pasta tasting plates will be sold for $2 at the Spaghetti Booth on the corner of Fourth and Virginia Streets from starting at 1 p.m. daily.  Don’t wait, they go fast!

New to the 30^th Annual Italian Festival is the fastest product of Italy; the Ferrari Club of America will have dozens of Ferraris lining the Plaza on the south side of the Eldorado for the weekend.  Other newcomers are on the entertainment lineup, including Tammurriatarock!, a jam-band from Italy that mixes Italian world music with a reggae and Latin flare and Nick D’Egidio, famous Frank Sinatra impersonator.  Returning Italian Festival favorites include Moreno Fruzzetti and 2010 Festival sensation Mitch Franco.

No Italian Festival would be complete without plenty of homemade Italian food!  The Eldorado’s Famous Italian Dinner Buffet will be served in the Eldorado Convention Center at 4 p.m. on Saturday and in The Buffet on Saturday and Sunday.  Enjoy a special array of Italian dishes will be served, including Veal Tortelloni, Ricotta and Spinach Canneloni, Cioppino, Steamed Clams and Linguini, Turkey Scallopine with Marsala and Mushrooms, Eggplant Parmesan and an assortment of homemade Italian Salads and desserts, including our famous gelato and tiramisu!

Great tastes are also available street side—grab a handmade pasta sampler with Tortellini Eldorado, Meat Ravioli Bolognese and Penne with Pesto or try the creamy Risotto.  Other specialties include Sausage and Peppers with Polenta and of course, delicious Garlic Bread.

Join in as Reno celebrates the 30^th Annual Great Eldorado Italian Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9.  For more details, photos and other Italian Festival information visit www.eldoradoreno.com or call 775-786-5700.

Exciting PGA TOUR action returns to northern Nevada with the 11th annual Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open, playing through Aug. 9 at Montrêux Golf & Country Club.

As the PGA TOUR’s only summer West Coast stop, the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open offers fans a fun-filled week of low-scoring professional golf along with the return of many of the tournament’s most popular events including “Fiesta Loco,” “Kidz Par-Tee Zone,” Vino 100 Wine Walk, as well as the charity events “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” and “Birdies for Charity.”

The 16th hole is once again home to “Fiesta Loco,” a fiesta-themed hospitality area featuring margaritas, a taco and burrito bar and the fan-favorite Mariachi Band. Also back for a fourth consecutive year is the “Vino 100 Wine Walk” beginning each day at 9 a.m. with mimosas at the driving range and inviting spectators and wine enthusiasts to walk the course and enjoy a wine tasting along the way. The “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” also makes its return to entertain the junior fans Friday through Sunday with a play area including a putting green, bounce houses, face painting and more.

While the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is committed to helping the community in which it plays year-round, tournament time brings two charity events that encourage attendees to join along in the spirit of giving, “Get Fit Fore Charity,” and “Birdies for Charity.”

The “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” walk is a course-long pedometer walk through Montrêux’s beautiful tree-lined fairways. With a $5 donation, each participant receives a pedometer and a chance to win a prize based on the number of steps taken along the course. “Birdies for Charity” is another way to follow the action and compete among friends while helping a worthy cause as participants are tempted to donate anywhere from 10 cents to $10 or more for each birdie carded during the tournament with the closest guess taking home a prize. Proceeds from both charity events benefit local non-profit organizations.

The following is a list of activities and offerings at the 2009 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, Aug. 5 – 9:

Thursday, Aug. 6

• 7 a.m.: First Round Tournament Play
• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live First Round Coverage
• 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – First Round

Friday, Aug. 7

• 7a.m.: Second Round Tournament Play
• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th green; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live Second Round Coverage
• 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Second Round

Saturday, Aug. 8

• 9 a.m.: “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 9:30 a.m.: Third Round Tournament Play
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 6 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – Live Third Round Coverage
• 9 – 11 p.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Third Round

Sunday, Aug. 9

• 9 a.m.: Final Round Tournament Play; “Renown Get Fit Fore Charity” Walk begins
• 10 a.m.: “Kidz Par-Tee Zone” opens; “Vino 100 Wine Walk” begins
• 11 a.m.: “Fiesta Loco” on the 16th hole; “Taste of Reno: Beers and Brats” on the 9th hole
• 3:30 – 6 p.m.: Golf Channel Broadcast – LIVE Final Round
• 6 p.m.: Trophy Presentation on 18th Green
• 9 – 11 p.m.: Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Final Round

Monday, Aug. 10

• 5 – 7 a.m.:  Golf Channel Re-Broadcast – Final Round

**All times are approximate and subject to change.

For more information on this year’s Legends at Sparks Marina Reno-Tahoe Open, including ticket sales, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LegendsRenoTahoeOpen.com or contact the tournament office at 775-322-3900.

Hot August Nights, one of the nation’s biggest events for auto enthusiasts, has finally started, and the streets are filled to the brim with custom rigs, hot rods, classics and exotics, while the stages are pumping with classic sounds.

The event runs through Aug. 9, with dozens of events every day throughout the Reno and Sparks areas. Download a schedule here.

Reno Tahoe is gearing up for the Northstar-at-Tahoe Tour de Nez June 17-21, when one of the West’s premier cycling events comes to the Sierra Nevada with events in Reno, Truckee and North Lake Tahoe.

This is bicycle racing at its finest – some of the best athletes in the sport working with and against each other in a race that is part endurance, part speed and part strategy, all against the backdrop of perfect summer weather and the Sierra Nevada range. But it’s not all about the racing: The Tour brings with it a festival atmosphere buzzing with the energy of fitness freaks and partiers – and everyone and everything in between.

So pack up the bike, make your way to Reno Tahoe and enjoy Nevada’s great outdoors.

From Fernando Leal, a Reno developer and supporter of the Tour de Nez:

As developer for The MONTAGE in downtown Reno, I understand the importance of a vital urban core. Cities thrive when there is a downtown from which civic pride and participation can grow and flourish; a core where resident and tourist participation is encouraged through active lifestyles in recreation, the arts, restaurants, entertainment and events.

The Tour de Nez combines two of my great passions – downtown Reno and cycling. A five-day cycling festival that includes recreational rides, world-class racing, cycling movies, parties and more … what’s not to love? I am honored that Montage Marketing Corporation is a proud sponsor of the Tour de Nez. The sponsorship is our way of demonstrating our appreciation and support to the event organizers for hosting a world-class event that we Renoites can be proud of.

Special events like the Tour de Nez and Artown bring thousands of visitors to our area who stay in our hotels, dine at our great local restaurants, and help with a downtown culture we are all working hard to create. These events also leave visitors with a great impression of Reno so they serve as good public relations ambassadors for our city.  The Tour de Nez has been instrumental over the last 15 years in providing a sense of community for Reno residents. Reno residents benefit from a variety of wonderful events that provide great entertainment options nearly every weekend. These events have a huge impact on improving the quality of life in our great city. The least we can do as citizens is to support these wonderful amenities in order to ensure their long-term viability.

Race schedule:

June 17

• Meet and greet with pro racers at Amendment 21
• Screening of “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure”

June 18

• Downtown Truckee criterium for professional men and women, masters and handcycles
• Downtown Truckee races for clunkers, messengers and kids
• Music and feast after races in downtown Truckee

June 19

• Morning group ride with athletes
• Downtown Reno Circuit Race for professional men and women, masters and handcycles
• Downtown Truckee races for clunkers, messengers and kids
• Reno Film Festival bicycle film “Breaking Away,” at Wingfield Park Amphitheater

June 20

• Morning group ride with athletes
• Village circuit race at the Village at Northstar at Tahoe for Pro men, women and masters, juniors and handcycles
• Village races for clunkers, kids and messengers
• Expo, music, demos, food, festival, and party, all in the Village at Northstar

June 21

• LUX, The great Tour de Nez Century ride along the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe