Traveling Nevada - Travel Roundup

Grand Sierra Resort to Host Weekly Poolside Movie Nights This Summer

Bethany Drysdale — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:08:25 GMT

— Begins Wednesday, June 24 with “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”—

The Grand Sierra hotel-casino invites guests to bring their family and friends to the Grand Sierra Pool every Wednesday this summer season to enjoy free movies poolside. Beginning June 24, movie night at the pool provides an unforgettable experience with free popcorn, $.50 sodas and the full menu served at The Beach.

The Wednesday movie night schedule is as follows:
 June 24: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
 July 1: “Sixteen Candles”
 July 8: “E.T.”
 July 15: “Princess Bride”
 July 22: “Dirty Dancing”
 July 29: “Top Gun”
 Aug. 5: “The Breakfast Club”
 Aug. 12: “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”
 Aug 19: “The Goonies”
 Aug. 26: “Beatle Juice”

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, and swimming is permitted. Guests of the hotel as well as the general public are welcome. The team at Grand Sierra is committed to utilizing its large space for exciting events and activities including the creation of a sandy play area for kids, evening movies and table service for guests 21 and older. Guests can expect full food and beverage service throughout the season.

Grand Sierra Pool is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. On weekend evenings and for special occasions, its nightlife pool venue, The Beach hosts world-renowned DJs, celebrity guests and more. Daily admission prices for non-hotel guests is $10, children 7 and under are free. A monthly unlimited pass for adults is $50. For more information, please visit www.grandsierraresort.com.

New Automobile Museum Exhibit Celebrates First Female to Drive Across The U.S.

Bethany Drysdale — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:06:52 GMT

One hundred years ago, long before anyone had ever dreamed of a Women’s Liberation movement, 22-year-old Alice Ramsey, climbed into a 1909 Maxwell Model DA — 30 horsepower Touring Car and drove it right out of the New York City showroom and into history. She became the first female to drive across the country.

You can learn all about this spunky young woman in “On the Road with Alice Ramsey: 100 Years Ago” in the Changing Exhibits Gallery at the National Automobile Museum, The Harrah Collection, in downtown Reno from July 1 through Jan. 11, 2010.

Ramsey’s father said his daughter was “born mechanical” and at school, instead of taking homemaking classes, she chose manual training. Her natural ability made driving easy and soon she was competing in against men, testing her skills driving around barrels and backing up. She did very well in competition, and after receiving a perfect score following the 150-mile Montauk Point Run, she was approached by an automobile salesman who thought having a woman drive across the nation would generate terrific publicity and ultimately sell automobiles.

The 22-year-old mother of a toddler, her 16-year-old friend Hermine Jahns and her two sisters-in-law, Nettie Powell and Margaret “Maggie” Atwood climbed into the car provided by the Maxwell-Briscoe Company on June 9, 1909, and drove off. They arrived in San Francisco on Aug. 7 to cheering crowds after 11 flat tires, mechanical mishaps and an encounter with a dozen Indians on horseback who were hunting jackrabbits. Their trek through Nevada took them through Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Hazen, Fernley, Wadsworth, Sparks and Reno. They were pleased to see the lights of Sparks, indicating electricity, and a sign they were returning to civilization. It was nearly midnight when they reached the Riverside Hotel in Reno. “Maxwellites” were on hand to greet them and escort them on their final map to the Golden Gate.

The National Automobile Museum at 10 S. Lake St. in downtown Reno is open Mon. – Sat. from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sun. 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. For more information, call (775) 333-9300 or visit www.automuseum.org.

Special Performance of Musical Phenomenon Jersey Boys to Benefit Nevada Public Radio

Bethany Drysdale — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:59:47 GMT

Nevada Public Radio listeners and members have a unique opportunity to support public radio while experiencing Jersey Boys and an exclusive Q&A session with the cast and crew following the performance at The Palazzo on Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m.

Five hundred tickets for the June 26 performance – all located in the front orchestra section – will benefit and must be purchased through Nevada Public Radio. Only Nevada Public Radio ticket holders will have access to the rare post-show meeting with the talented performers who take audiences up the charts and behind the timeless sounds of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

This musical biography that traces one of the greatest successes in pop music history is the same production that fans around the world have come to know and love. It features electrifying performances of such classics as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “My Eyes Adored You.” Jersey Boys was voted “Best Show” in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Review-Journal in the newspaper’s 28th annual “Best of Las Vegas” poll.

Special ticket pricing of $100 is available for current Nevada Public Radio members. Listeners of News 88.9 KNPR and Classical 89.7 can purchase tickets for $125 each, which includes Nevada Public Radio membership. All proceeds benefit Nevada Public Radio. To purchase tickets, visit www.knpr.org, www.classical897.org or call (702) 258-9895 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

Spend a day on The Beach at Grand Sierra Resort

Bethany Drysdale — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:14:37 GMT

On Saturday, June 6, the Grand Sierra Resort will open the doors on a revamped nightlife pool venue called The Beach. The Beach takes the place of Nikki Beach, which operated at the resort over the last two summers, and will be operated by the same management team.

The opening weekend will kick off with veteran DJ Skribble on Saturday and DJ Donald Glaude on Sunday celebrating EJ Luera’s birthday. Apart from his mastery on the decks, Donald is best-known for his dynamic showmanship. With the credit of five full-length CDs and numerous remixes under his belt, Donald continues to skyrocket on DJMag.com’s Top 100 DJs List and his genius keeps on growing.

The Beach will continue to make waves all summer long with exhilarating events, celebrity guests, live music, world-famous DJs and dancing Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests, who must be 21 years or older, can expect fresh décor, poolside food and drinks and special events on the weekends. Nightly admission to The Beach is $20. VIP bottle service is available, and reservations can be made by calling 1-800-648-5080.

The Ghost of Twain

Bethany Drysdale — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:40:25 GMT

Nevada’s own Mark Twain reincarnate, McAvoy Layne, will appear in a special one-night performance of “Mark Twain’s Nevada” at the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 13.

Layne, whose resemblance to Twain is eerie, begins his saga with Twain’s boyhood in Hannibal, Mo., and skips along “jaunty-folly” to his piloting days on the Mississippi River. The Twain scholar regales his audience with Twain’s hapless Civil War misadventures where he admits, “I was missing in action before a shot was fired.” The saga continues with Twain’s overland journey to Nevada, culminating with his love affair with Lake Tahoe. Because Twain loved technology, Layne will share some of the humorist’s first impressions of the newest form of transportation available in his day – the automobile.

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., Reno. A portion of the proceeds benefits the museum. For more information, visit www.automuseum.org or call 775-333-9300. For information on Layne and his celebrated performances, visit www.ghostoftwain.com.

Media contact: Carol Infranca, carol@carolinfranca.com

Washoe Lake Wildflower Walk May 9

Bethany Drysdale — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:54:24 GMT

Take a leisurely walk with Nevada State Parks rangers to view this year’s spring wildflowers, which may include the wild rose, wild onion, Indian paintbrush, larkspur and others.

The walk is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Participants are asked to meet at the boat launch in the day use area of the park. The park is on Eastlake Boulevard on the southeast end of Washoe Valley.

Staff will have wildflower books on hand to view. This program is suggested for ages 8 and up. Some uphill walking will be involved, so sandals are not recommended. Please bring water and a snack.

Contact Terri Ozawa at 775-687-4319 for information.

Kentucky Derby Takes Off at Silver Legacy

Bethany Drysdale — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:19:41 GMT

Ever since I visited Churchill Downs when I was 17, I’ve wanted to attend the Kentucky Derby. I want to wear a big hat, sip a mint julep, add “y’all” to my sentences and watch the biggest horse race of the year in person.

It’s not likely I’ll get to Kentucky anytime soon, so I’m grateful for local events that embrace the spirit of the Derby and give fans an opportunity to dress up, don a floppy hat and place a bet or two on your favorite horse.

The Silver Legacy Resort Casino in downtown Reno is throwing a Kentucky Derby party complete with lunch, mint juleps, the race on giant screens, and of course, big hats (there’s even a “make your own hat” contest). The party, from 1 to 4 p.m. May 2, will be hosted by former professional jockey Arturo Mena in the Silver Legacy’s Silver Baron Ballroom. Tickets are $45 or $35 for guests who do not participate in the hat contest. And everyone is invited to wear hats and Derby attire. Check out www.silverlegacy.com for more information.

New Legends at Sparks Marina shopping district announces June opening

Bethany Drysdale — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:16:27 GMT

A new shopping district, which already features mega sporting goods retailer Scheels, has announced the coming of 26 more stores to the 148-acre complex called Legends at Sparks Marina on Interstate 80, just east of Reno.

A ribbon-cutting is scheduled June 18 that will kick off a round of celebrations, concerts and other events into August. Legends’ long-range plans call for a casino resort and theaters.

Nationally known retailers such as Kenneth Cole, Sketchers USA Outlet, Fuddruckers, Osh Kosh B’Gosh and Guess Factory Store, among others, will join Best Buy, Target, Jazz and A Louisiana Kitchen already at the site.

The 295,000 square-foot Scheels, billed as the world’s largest all-sports store, features a wide range of sporting goods for golf, hunting, fishing, biking, skiing, water sports, running gear, shoes and fashion sportswear in an entertaining atmosphere that includes a Ferris wheel, aquariums, a fudge shop, deli. www.experiencelegends.com

Reno celebrates new baseball stadium opening

Bethany Drysdale — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:23:22 GMT

Reno has opened its new $50 million baseball stadium, and enthusiastic fans welcomed the Triple-A Reno Aces team to its inaugural season in the 9,100-capacity ballpark that features many crowd-pleasing facilities.

The mayors of Reno and Sparks and other officials threw out the first balls April 17, ushering in a new era of baseball for America’s Adventure Place for the first time in nearly 20 years. The Aces, which are affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, won their inaugural game against the Salt Lake Bees, 11-1.

Aces Ballpark is downtown Reno’s newest crown jewel. It is situated in a revitalized area at Fourth and Evans streets, less than four blocks from the hotel-casinos along Virginia Street and close to the Truckee River, which flows through the heart of the entertainment district and offers whitewater kayaking.

Besides the bleachers, dug out suites and other stadium seating, facilities include a family-friendly grassy berm, admission fees as low as $7, a beer garden, kids zone, bullpen party deck, team shop, baseball game food favorites by Chicago-based Levy restaurants and much more.

Various Class A teams played in Reno from 1956 to 1992, and then the city experienced a baseball hiatus until the Aces arrived. www.minorleaguebaseball.com.

Navy serviceman’s USS Nevada collection displayed at the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas

Bethany Drysdale — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:57:19 GMT

The Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas recently acquired a collection of photographs and memorabilia from the renowned battleship USS Nevada through descendents of Andrew Thomas Levering, who served aboard the ship from 1931-38.

Salvaged and modernized, the USS Nevada served as a convoy escort and fire-support ship during World War II. In 1946, the U.S. Navy assigned the Nevada to be a target ship in the atomic weapons test Operation Crossroads. The Nevada was decommissioned on Aug. 29, 1946, and sunk during naval gunfire practice on July 31, 1948.

In 2008, several materials were donated to the Nevada State Museum after Levering’s son, Robert, discovered a cache of USS Nevada documents and memorabilia, including his father’s duty book, shipboard diary, scrapbooks, a photograph album and medals. The collection will be displayed until April 30.

The Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas is at 700 Twin Lakes Drive in Lorenzi Park and is open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. General admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors 55 and over, and free to children 17 and under.

Contact: Teresa Moiola, Department of Cultural Affairs, (775-687-8323