When I was a kid, Christmas was my favorite holiday for mostly materialistic reasons. Now that I'm a grown up boomer, my favorite is Thanksgiving, for I have learned to be thankful in a realm beyond mere physical possessions. An intact family and good friends are more important than how much stuff you have, as are decent health and a reasonably safe place to live.

A government that still functions in a democratic manner, despite bouts of corruption, stupidity, incompetence, and arrogance, is worth more than any amount of stuff. After all, not everyone gets to live in a place where a change in leadership is accompanied by renewed hope among the people rather than soldiers, guns, and more despair. Just living in the United States is worth more than any amount of stuff.

I am thankful for the good fortune I have experienced despite some of the mighty poor choices I've made. When I look around right here in Reno, it's pretty hard not to be thankful for having a roof over my head, enough to eat, and a warm place to sleep. I wish the same for all of you and hope you enjoy a happy Thanksgiving Day.

A Thank You to John Ascuaga's Nugget - For the 48th straight year, John Ascuaga's Nugget and its employees will be preparing and serving a Thanksgiving dinner for over 1000 people at St. Vincent's Dining Room, 325 Valley Road, off 4th Street and just east of downtown Reno. Serving starts at 11:30 a.m. Such unconditional generosity benefits those who partake of the meal and lifts the spirits of the whole community. My thanks go out to The Nugget and its employees.

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For those with any money left, the annual Black Friday shopping frenzy will be a real bargain bonanza. Retailers know it's going to be tough and they are competing mightly for the limited number of dollars consumers have to spend this holiday season. With that in mind, the big shopping malls and other stores throughout the Truckee Meadows are not only flogging their prices, they have come up with all kinds of incentives, deals, and entertainment to attract spending at their establishments. Heck, even if you don't have much to spend, it should be fun to wander the big malls and enjoy the colorful lights and decorations.

Early openings on Black Friday are getting earlier. The Legends at Sparks Marina is doing midnight (as in 12 p.m. Thanksgiving Day), with many others throwing the doors open well before sunrise. My Black Friday article is a good place to start if you plan on joining the fray.

And please, don't overlook our many locally-owned businesses for your holiday shopping. Supporting our neighborhood merchants is one of the best ways to boost the local economy and keep those dollars circulating right here in the Reno / Tahoe region.

Attention Local Business Owners - Tell us about your locally-owned business; how you got started, what you do, why people should do business with you, etc. Telling your story is a great way to attract new customers, and it's free.

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The 24th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service will be at the Sparks United Methodist Church, 1231 Pyramid Way in Sparks. The service starts at 7:30 p.m. and will include music, readings, prayers, and blessings. Many religious faiths will be participating - various Christian denominations, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha'i, Native American. The theme of this 24th annual event is "For what do we give thanks?" Preceding the service, there will be a procession of clergy members in their religious garb.

Music for the service will be performed by local choirs from Trinity Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Sparks United Methodist Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Baha'i representatives will present a musical tribute.

These Northern Nevada religious leaders will be participating - Dr. Clair Earl (LDS), Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. (International Community of Christ), Rajan Zed (Hindu), Brother Matthew Cunningham (Roman Catholic), Father George C. Bratiotis (Greek Orthodox), Rabbi Teri Appleby (Jewish), Imam Abdul Rahim Barghouthi (Muslim), Dr. William Bartlett (Buddhist), Roya Galata (Baha'i), Dr. Thomas Butler (United Methodist), Irwin Sharp Fish (Native American).

Monetary donations will go to Family Promise and food donations will be given to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. For more information, contact Rev. Savoy at (775) 786-7827 or Rajan Zed at rajanzed@hotmail.com.

The 2nd Carson City Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering will be held at the Unity Center, 1219 S. Carson Street. This event is on November 24 at 7 p.m. For more information, call (775) 841-2221.

Source: Press release from Rajan Zed, Director of Interfaith Affairs, Nevada Clergy Association.

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Rink on the River opens on Tuesday, November 24 for the 2009 - 2010 winter season. Skating begins after the Holiday Tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Bring the whole family to downtown Reno and enjoy ice skating by the Truckee River. Skate rental is free on opening day for those donating new mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, or socks. Donations will go to the Salvation Army.

Rink on the River is at the corner of First and Virginia Streets. Note that ATM and credit cards are not accepted - bring cash or a check. For additional information, call (775) 334-2262.

Reno Holiday Tree Lighting - Reno's 2009 Holiday Tree will be ceremonially lit Tuesday evening in the City Plaza, across from the City Hall in downtown Reno. The tree is at the corner of S. Virginia and First Streets, next to the skating rink. The lighting ceremony is at 5 p.m. and will include holiday carols sung by the Billinghurst Middle School Choir.

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