Reno-Tahoe knows how to throw a party, and one of the biggest excuses of the year is Halloween. Here’s a breakdown of some the region’s Halloween events. If you know of an event not listed here, please submit in the comment section:

• Magic Underground: Through Oct. 31 Famous magician couple Kalin and Jinger will present a special Halloween show at the Magic Underground in Reno.
• Halloween Hallow: Downtown Reno merchants put on this annual event, with fun for the kids, candy and entertainment.
• Ghost Night: Bring the kids to historic Virginia City for “Ghost Night,” with a parade, costume contests and other haunted happenings.
• Trick or Treat in the Streets: Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m. at the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno.
• Trick or Treat Street: Oct. 31 from 4-7 p.m. at Circus Circus in Reno.
• The Reno Zombie Crawl: Bring your best zombie outfit and hit several downtown Reno hot spots the evening of Oct. 31.
• Halloween Skin and Scare Ball: Oct. 31- Nov. 1 at Edge nightclub, or hit Cal Neva, Gold Dust West, Harrah’s Reno or the Peppermill Reno for one of several local parties.
• Halloween Monster Mash: Oct. 31 at Pearl Champagne Lounge at the Grand Sierra Resort.
• 11th Annual Freakers’ Ball: Oct. 31 at Bruka Theatre in Downtown Reno.
• Freaks of Fashion – Circus of Wonders: Oct. 31, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. - features live music by Keyser Soze, fashion by Haute Trash, drink specials and a costume contest.
• Night at the Mansion: Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 10 p.m. at BuBinga Lounge at the Eldorado Hotel Casino.

Most people still don’t understand why I choose to spend SO much time in Reno, NV. Until they come to visit all I can do is tell them about the awesome outdoor community and the easy access to outdoor amenities.

This week just downstream of the current whitewater park (the Truckee River Whitewater Park in downtown Reno) another was completed (the Truckee River Whitewater Park at Rock Park in Sparks). Though it is still not officially open I had the chance to test out the new features - and yes I got to be the first (there has to be some perks to being the world champ). This is the kind of park you want to bring your kids to: a picnic on the grass, swimming in the deep eddies.

I know I’ll be spending heaps of time here in the near future as they’ve managed to build a nice little wave for me to train on - thank you Jim and Mike!

- Re-post courtesy of world champion kayaker Ruth Gordon

Check out this video of Ruth on the wave of  “Double D,” one of the park features:

Following on the success of the Truckee River Whitewater Park in downtown Reno, the City of Sparks has broken ground – or river – on its own kayak park, adding another attraction for whitewater athletes and recreation seekers in the Reno-Sparks area.

The site – located at Rock Park at 1515 Rock Boulevard – will be closed to the public until early 2009, with the whitewater attraction planned for a summer 2009 opening.

“The whitewater feature at Rock Park will raise the bar for recreation in the Truckee Meadows and bring visitors to Sparks from near and far,” said Sparks Mayor Geno Martini.  It will include five drops similar in appearance to the Truckee River Whitewater Park. “The project will be a wonderful use of the Truckee River, and something our citizens can enjoy for years to come.”

Along with pools for kayaking, tubing and rafting for all skill levels, the improvements include improved riverbank landscaping, shade structures, and play structures, parking and better access for people with disabilities. The river trail system will also be rerouted and improved. The nearly $900,000 contract is being fulfilled by Reno Tahoe Construction, Inc.

In addition to serving as the focal point for redevelopment in downtown Reno, the Truckee River Whitewater Park is also home to the annual Reno River Festival, one of the country’s premier kayaking competitions.

Hot August Nights is Reno and Sparks’ salute to the golden era of automobiles, where enthusiasts from around the globe come to our little corner of the Sierra Nevada to show off their hot rod handywork, check out other cars or just enjoy some good entertainment under the sun.

More than 800,000 spectators are expected for the 2008 showing. This year’s event runs from Aug. 1-10, with events, cruises, concerts and vendors every day. Some hightlights include:

• Aug. 1: $500 customer choice show n’ shine, 4-9 p.m. at the Summit Sierra Mall, 13925 S. Virginia Street
• Aug. 2: Hot August Nights River Wine Walk, 3-6 p.m. in Downtown Reno
• Aug. 3: Pre-kick-off party and show n’ shine, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Downtown Reno
• Aug. 4: Sparks pre-kick-off party and open cruise in Downtown Sparks
• Aug. 5: Guinness Book of World Records Hula Hoop contest, 6-8 p.m. at the Atlantis Casino Resort
• Aug. 6: Classic Hot Rod Showcase, 8-8:30 p.m., Peppermill Hotel Casino
• Aug. 7: Johnny Barron and the Bel Aires live, 7-9:45 p.m. , Peppermill Hotel Casino
• Aug. 8: Ftizgerald’s Show n’ Shine, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fitzgerald’s Reno
• Aug. 9: Drag racing and burnouts, 6 p.m.-1 a.m., Reno-Fernley Raceway
• Aug. 10: Car Awards Presentation and Parade of Champions, 8:30 a.m., Downtown Reno

For a complete list of the dozens of Hot August Nights events, click here (pdf).

Reno’s newest redevelopment achievement, the West Street Market, has added another dimension to the culture of downtown, with a rotating farmers market, outdoor space for vendors and indoor space – currently under development – for local food, drink and retail businesses.

From its inception, the market has been developed to provide customers and sightseers a place to “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” foods and goods, stimulate an entrepreneurial town center, and create a venue for entertainment and educational events. The ambitious goals of the development are already becoming reality – it has already attracted A-list vendors and retailers, and the events are bringing good crowds.

Check out these great events:

• Saturday Farmers and Chefs Market
• Wednesday Eco-Market hosted by Nevada EcoNet
• Friday night Artisan Market hosted by the Holland Project
• Edible Landscape Demonstration Garden

The Indoor Market will open in October, with 15-18 permanent prepared food and fresh food vendors, artists, demonstrations, entertainment and education. The roofed indoor market features 8,494 square feet in three buildings, according to the City of Reno.

To see photos from the Holland Project, click here.

View Larger Map

The fountain at the Legends at Sparks Marina

The Legends at Sparks Marina, a new destination shopping center located at the Sparks Marina in Northern Nevada announced the commitment of more A-list retailers and restaurants to the development, scheduled to open Fall, 2008.

Companies that have committed so far include: Scheel’s All Sports (240,000 square feet), T-Rex, Adidas, America’s Roadhouse, BCBGirls, Brooks Brothers, Forever 21, Harry and David, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, Lane Bryant, Off Broadway Shoes, Saddle Ranch Chop House, Sunglass Station, Saks Off Fifth, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Ann Taylor, AT&T, Banana Republic, Gap, Patsy Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizza, Dickinson Theatres + IMAX, The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar, Strasburg Children, Tuscanos Brazilian Grill, Blowfish Sushi, Hofbrauhaus, Olive Garden, Best Buy, Deegie’s Carma, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Easy Spirit, Nine West and Mountain Family RV.

The development also includes a 1,000-room upscale casino-resort-spa.

-Jim Scripps