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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There's new snow in the mountains and a crispness to the air down here in the Truckee Meadows. Winter is just about to take off and, with Thanksgiving Day only a week away, the holidays are ramping up. Here are some weekend happenings that will get you in the mood for both the cold times and the holiday season.

Legends at Sparks Marina Holiday Tree Lighting: The Legends will be hosting its first annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 21, at 7 p.m. The 50 foot tree will shine with 10,000 LED lights. There will be musical entertainment and free family skating on a Hybrid-Ice® skating rink. The rink will be open from November 21 to 29.

Lights Up! at The Summit: The Summit will be turning on its holiday lights on Saturday, November 21, at 6:30 p.m. Included in the festivities will be the arrival of Santa and a fireworks show to kick off the shopping season.

West Street Market Harvest Holiday Happening: The Holiday Happening will feature shopping with local vendors, live music, activities for the kids, chef demonstrations, and a fashion show. There will be a raffle and food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The event will be on Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. West Street Market is West Street between First and Second streets in downtown Reno.

Squaw Valley 60th Anniversary Season Opening: Numerous activities are planned for Squaw Valley's 60th Anniversary Season Opening Day. A series of events starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21. The highlight is sure to be a BASE jump from the Squaw Valley cable car by JT Holmes, scheduled for 2:20 p.m.

Other Reno / Tahoe area ski resorts are also lining up for their season openers. Boreal is now open daily. Mt. Rose will be open daily starting November 19. Heavenly is scheduled to open Friday. For Northstar-at-Tahoe, opening day will be Saturday. With significant snowfall scheduled to arrive this weekend, look for more resorts to fire up their lifts and really get the ski season rolling.

Trembling Leaves Native American Cultural Exhibit: Trembling Leaves will be at the Wilbur D. May Museum in Rancho San Rafael Park. The exhibit will feature many aspects of life among northern Nevada's Native American people - hunting and gathering techniques, basketry, shelters, uses of native plants, languages, and dancing. There will also be artifacts from the Nevada State Museum. The exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 children, $7 adults. For more information, call (775) 5961.

If you have an event or activity you'd like to publicize for free, you can do it right here on RenoTahoe.About.com. Just go to Reno Area Events Submitted By Readers and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Once approved, your entry will appear in date order according to when it will be happening.

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