Reno Run or Dye

Reno held a 5K "Run or Dye" to raise money for Susan G. Komen Foundation. Over 7000 people participated. Such a happy positive vibe, everyone with big smiles, dancing and singing. One of Reno's good things.

 

 

Where Are All the Cool People in Town?

The seedling sale at the Great Basin Community Food Co-op got my attention. When I arrived, I suddenly knew where all the cool people in Reno are hanging out. The guy with dreads and a reggae shirt was talking with the guy in farmer john overalls and a giant sun hat. A woman with a foreign accent was comparing notes on breastfeeding with one of the vendors. A man was explaining compost tea while a young boy enthusiastically picked out ground covers for his model train tracks. All were smiling and chatting and laughing on this gorgeous sunny Saturday morning.

Inside their new shop, housed in a bright yellow cottage, there are abundant fresh, organic fruits and veggies, bulk bins, spices. There were so many people inside that I decided to come back and pay for my membership (only $15) another day.

Back outside again, I could see Sun Ovens cooking, people riding in on their bicycles. The parking lot was filled with people loading their boxes of organic seedlings into cars with bumperstickers that said positive things like, "Nevada-People Grow Things Here" or "Coexist" or "Buy Local."

These are the kind of people I want to be around; this is the kind of place I want to hang out.

Knowledge Center

I discovered yesterday morning that alumni have full use of the new Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center at UNR. I jumped in my car and headed there straightaway. The clerk gave me a library card without even asking to see my driver's license or proof of when I graduated. It's good for a year.

The building is gorgeous, but the interesting thing is that there are no stacks of books! They have a automatic book retrieval system of giant steel drawers. You request a book and the system brings it to you.


There is a multimedia center filled with computers and large screen monitors. They have 15,000 videos and DVDs for checkout. The popular reading nook is filled with magazines and current hardbound books. Comfortable couches and chairs are scattered about. A little cafe is on the first floor. The Book Nook sells used books for $1.50 and magazines for 20 cents. You will find me there quite often.

Reno Roller Girls

The School of Hard Blocks aka Hardcore Roller Derby, The Miss Fits vs The School Girls, were mostly young girls, 18-25ish, who were trying real hard to be tough. It was fun and entertaining show, although they weren't nearly as leathery as they made out to be. I felt like I would have a chance if I was out there.



I learned how points are scored: there is a group of blockers from both sides that skate together in as two "jammers," one from each team skate through the group. Whichever jammer makes it through first becomes the lead jammer. She circles around again and makes her way through the block again. She earns a point for each blocker from the oppositing team that she makes it past. Of course the blockers are doing whatever they can to make sure that she doesn't pass at all. That's where the pushing, body checks, and tripping comes in.

They had a penelty box in the center with a big dunce cap. They also made two girls have a pillow fight. And a giant tug of war between both teams. Not sure how this came about, but it certainly added another dimension to the entertainment.

Sparks Rib Cook-Off

By skipping out on Burning Man this year, we were able to spend more time at the Sparks Rib Cook-Off. This is a big time competition with serious food fanatics from around the world. In spite of the quality food, I go for the entertainment. They bring in some top notch music, for free. We saw The Radiators from New Orleans on Wednesday and The Blasters last night. The maniac in the picture above is the lead singer, Phil Alvin, Dave's big brother. Man, they rock!

Since it lasts until next Monday, you still have plenty of time to get there.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

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Have you ever done this? Each year, Reno has what they call the largest free showing of Rocky Horror in the US. I don't know if it's true or not, but it doesn't matter, because it's fun! I'm guessing 4,000-5,000 people dressed in various states of costumes, bringing tons of props with them. It seemed like Brad and I were the only ones without newspaper and we deservedly got wet.

There is about an hour "pre-show" put on by a theater company from San Francisco called Body Cast. They have a costume contest, initiate the virgins, and teach everyone how to Time Warp. It takes awhile, but gets the crowd hyped up.

I have to admit that I've forgotten 90% of the audience participation lines, but enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd as they shouted them out. I heard that they are re-making it, but there can never be a better Frankenfurter than Tim Curry. I can't take my eyes off of him.

Whole Foods--Reno Style

I guess somethings really are worth waiting for. Last month a brand new Whole Foods store finally came to Reno. Because we were so late in getting one, we got the newest, brightest, biggest version. It is truly beautiful.

I could rave on & on & on about the meats from the butcher, the fresh breads from the bakery, the pizza oven, the sushi chef, the PRODUCE SECTION! But what's really spectacular is the Culinary Center with daily demonstrations and tastings. And the "make your own trail mix" bar--granola, chocolate chips, raisins, dried fruits, nuts--mix and match. And the four big salad bar islands, filled with delicious healthy foods, some traditional salad-type things, but other exotic prepared foods.

At lunch time, it's crazy busy with everyone filling their plates and taking them out to the patio in front of the store, reveling in the cooling effect of the misters.

I can definitely imagine myself going there this winter when I've been housebound too long and warming myself at that gorgeous rock fireplace with comfy couches and free wi-fi.

Junkee

You probably have a hip little store or two like this in your town. You just have to search around a bit. Junkee Clothing Exchange is new to Reno and a splendid addition to our town. Half of the store is "antique" furniture and do-dads, while the other half is devoted to recycled clothing. And (because this is Reno, after all) a special Burner Boutique for Burning Man costumes and accessories.

You can bring in your old clothes from noon-4PM for the buyer to look over. This is a great way to clean out your closets.

When I stopped by yesterday, the place was buzzing with customers, both male and female. I made it out without actually spending any money this time. While I am totally fascinated with looking at all this, I have cured myself of needing to own it.

Lavender Ridge

Bee on Lavender, originally uploaded by c8mills.

I hit one of those moments of pure photo joy playing with my camera at Lavender Ridge the other day. The lighting was very interesting, murky but golden, due to the smoky air. It looks terrible at a distance, but the close ups were fantastic.

The bees practical frolic among the budding lavender, ignoring my presence completely. You can put the lens right up next to them and they don't mind at all. And the aroma is intoxicating!

Lavender Ridge is a small farm on the corner of Mayberry and 4th Street. Stop by if you can, now while the lavender is at the peak. They have quite a business going with the sale of lavender plants, garden parties, and a wonderful, surprisingly extensive, gift shop.

Artown

Reno is Artown~the entire month of July devoted to the arts~music, dance, film, visual, theater, cultural. They have over 350 things-to-do: family events, outdoor concerts and theater, street art faires, gallery showings. Most of them are free.

Tonight the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans is giving an outdoor concert at Wingfield Park. This is the the thing that I want to see the most. A picnic in the park with quality music~heaven!

Also, I adore the local fire dance troupe~Controlled Burn, pictured above, performing on July 19th.

Around here, they call it Art-town, but if you pronounce it as it's spelled, it sounds like our-town, which is great because it is all about the coolest parts of our town.

SÜP

Went for a quick lunch at a super cool little soup, salad, sandwich shop called SÜP. The friendly counter help were nothing like the soup nazi. Six different housemade soups served daily. I had chicken tortilla, but some of the others sound so tempting: loaded baked potato, carrot ginger, tomato bisque. The soup came with little loaves of bread made from the House of Bread on California Ave. Brad had the house salad, which had luscious sliced strawberries and Grape-Nuts sprinkled on top. Each meal came with a tiny oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Owners Christian & Kasey Christensen came up with a great business plan, serving fresh, healthy food; fully packed for lunch today. I just wish they were open for dinner too.