If you are the do-it-yourself type, you can get Christmas tree cutting permits from either the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to go get a tree on nearby public land, or on not so nearby public land.

BLM permits for pinyon pine trees are available now at $5 each. Permits are non-refundable and there is no limit on how many you can buy. Areas open to tree cutting include the Pinenut Mountains between Carson City and Yerington, the Clan Alpine and Desatoya Mountains east of Fallon, and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne. When you purchase a permit, maps and directions are included. BLM accepts phone credit card orders and check or credit card mail orders. You can get permits in person from these BLM locations, during the hours listed:

BLM-Carson City District Office
5665 Morgan Mill Rd., Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 885-6000
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (11/28, 12/5, 12/12)

BLM-Nevada State Office
1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, NV 89520-0006
(775) 861-6500
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Community Action Center-Hawthorne
701 E St., Hawthorne, NV 89415
(775) 945-2471
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UNR Cooperative Extension Office-Fallon
111 Shekler Road, Fallon, NV
(775) 423-5121
Nov. 18, Dec. 1 & 8 only. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cash or checks only at this location.

The USFS is will be issuing approximately 4,000 Christmas tree cutting permits for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, starting on November 23 and ending on December 25, or until permits are sold out. Households are limited to two $10 permits, which will be sold on a first come basis. Permits must be purchased in person with cash or a check; credit and ATM cards will not be accepted. You'll be able to cut white fir, Jeffrey and lodgepole pine, and incense cedar trees in designated areas, including portions of Dog Valley, Spooner Summit, Markleeville, Woodfords, Hope Valley, and Wolf Creek. USFS Christmas tree permits are available at these locations during the hours listed:

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters
1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, NV 89431
(775) 331-6444
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 - Dec. 4
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7 - Dec. 24
Saturday, Nov. 28: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, November 29: 8 a.m. to noon

Carson Ranger District Office
1536 S. Carson Street (US395), Carson City, NV 89701-5291
(775) 882-2766
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hope Valley Café and Market
14655 Highway 88 (Woodfords Canyon), Markleeville, CA 96120
(530) 694-2323
7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (beginning November 27)

Markleeville General Store
14799 Highway 89, Markleeville, CA 96120
(530) 694-2448
7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bring your own saws and other equipment. In case you encounter bad roads and stormy weather, be sure to bring warm clothing, a first aid kit, extra food and water, heavy rope or chain, a shovel, and tire chains. If you get stuck, it may be a while before someone finds you and cell phones may not work in remote areas.

Source: BLM Carson City District press release.

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Photo © Stan White

We're talking green in the environmental sense, as in the famous Reno Arch now uses 75 percent less electricity than it did before last Tuesday evening. This feat was accomplished by replacing the old incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LEDs. Our city's iconic structure is now lean, green and shines a little brighter than before. At least it looks that way to me and several people in the crowd who made similar comments.

About two and a half years ago, the Reno City Council made working to reduce emissions and conserve energy one of their priorities - the concept of making Reno a "green" city. The newly green Reno Arch is the latest in a series of city projects aimed at reaching this goal with environmentally friendly technology. A recently completed project put a 180 KW solar system on top of the Parking Gallery in downtown Reno. A 90 KW system for the Reno Events Center is being designed and others are being considered. Wind power is in the mix as well, with turbines planned for Reno City Hall, the Parking Gallery, Mira Loma Park, and the grounds of the Stead sewer treatment plant. At the Reno Arch lighting, I heard Mayor Cashell comment that the top of City Hall will be a great place for wind turbines, what with all the hot air rising from politicians' offices.

Interested in learning more? Read my article for more information about Going Green in Reno.

Sources: Personal attendance at the lighting ceremony, Reno Gazette-Journal.

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The leading edge of a major winter storm started blowing through the Truckee Meadows early this morning. According to the National Weather Service, winds may gust as high a 60 mph later today. Rain may arrive this afternoon, turning to snow showers tonight. A winter storm warning is in effect in the Sierra and around Lake Tahoe. If you must travel, be sure to check the weather & road conditions before setting out. Conditions are forecast to improve over the weekend. There should be several inches of new snow in the mountains just in time for the opening of several area ski resorts.

The Reno Bighorns, our NBA Development League basketball team, plays its first home game of the 2009-2010 season in Reno on Saturday, December 5, against the Los Angeles D-Fenders. Tip off is at 7 p.m. at the Reno Events Center, 400 N. Center Street (corner 4th Street) in downtown Reno. There is lots of parking right across the street at the National Bowling Stadium. The Reno Bighorns schedule has dates and times for all home games.

To launch its second season in Reno, the Bighorns are having a meet-the-team event this Friday, November 20, at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia Street in Reno. The event is free to the public and starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Atlantis Grand Ballrooms 5 and 6. Bighorns players will be available for autographs and pictures, along with the Bighorns Dance Team and Bruno the Bighorns mascot.

Single game tickets start at just $7. You can spend more depending on where you want to sit, but that's a pretty good deal for professional quality basketball. If you have a group of 20 or more, the per ticket prices are even better. Check out the Bighorns group pricing web page for details. For more ticket information, call (775) 284-2622.

If you can't make a game and still want to follow the action, listen in on local radio station KJFK 1230 AM. You can also watch the games online for free at NBA Futurecast. The Reno Bighorns are affiliated with the NBA Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic.

Source: Reno Bighorns press release.

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