July dates for "Fresh Air, New Ideas" have been announced. These walks are your chance to talk personally with two of Reno's City Council members in the relaxed, informal setting of a one hour stroll. The idea of meeting with Reno residents and talking about their concerns, away from the stifling confines of government offices, was started by councilwomen Jessica Sferrazza and Sharon Zadra. There is no agenda - you can discuss any topic you choose.

• July 13 at noon - Manzanita Park, Manzanita Street, east of Lakeside Drive.
• July 20 at noon - Miguel Ribera Park, 3925 Neil Road.
• July 27 at noon - Wingfield Park (Muni Band will be playing), First Street and Arlington Avenue, meet at the foot bridge.

For more information, call Reno Direct at (775) 334-INFO.

Source: City of Reno press release.

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Free is good, and when you are getting the very best America has to offer, it's even better. During two upcoming weekends, entrance and some other fees will be waived at over 100 areas administered by the National Park Service. The parks closest to Reno are Yosemite National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Both California parks are eminently worthy destinations, with Lassen being closer and much less crowded.

Other National Park Service units with a Nevada connection include Death Valley National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Great Basin National Park (the only national park completely within Nevada). All of these are hundreds of miles from Reno, but if you're in the area, take advantage of a fee-free visit.

The free weekends will be July 18-19, 2009 and August 15-16, 2009. For those of you who might be traveling during these times, here is a list of national parks you can visit during fee-free weekends.

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The 37th season of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival features performances at Sand Harbor on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. It has been called "The Most Scenic Venue in the World.," which you will see is no exaggeration when you attend a performance. Enjoy Much Ado About Nothing and Measure For Measure, along with the Urban Village Music Series on Monday evenings. There are also plays for kids and a Midsummer's Camp for aspiring young performers. The Sand Harbor venue is in Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park, a worthy destination any time of the year.

My article has links to the performance calendar, directions to Sand Harbor, and information about getting tickets. The 2009 Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival runs from July 11 through August 23.

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Artown... Celtic Forest
Photo © Stan White

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When the heat comes on, people naturally head for the water, bringing the throngs out to play and cool off in the Truckee River at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno and the new Whitewater Park at Rock Park, among other places. Sometimes we tend to forget, though, that the Truckee is a natural river, not a swimming pool. As such, you should be aware of certain hazards lurking in the stream.

The Truckee River is fed by snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada, making it especially cold in early summer. Right now it is also more swift and deeper than later in the year. Keeping these things in mind will help make your day of river play a fun experience. Also, there are no lifeguards at Wingfield Park or Rock Park, making it extra important to keep a close watch on the little ones.

The swimming beach at Sparks Marina Park is on a lake and does have lifeguards. It is a much more controlled environment where some people may be more comfortable than along a moving river. The swimming area and beach are great places for families with small children. Parking is close and there is a snack bar and restrooms.

Wingfield Park, Rock Park, and Sparks Marina are all free. If you are looking for more, check out these other free and really cheap places to cool of in the Reno / Tahoe area.

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Here's a way to enjoy a tasty meal and help our less fortunate neighbors at the same time. Through July 27, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is donating 50 cents to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for each burger sold on Mondays. So far, the promotion has raised $1,679.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has two area locations:

4999 Kietzke Lane, Reno, NV 89509
and
4712 Galleria Pkwy., Sparks, NV 89436

For more information, contact Jocelyn Lantrip at (775) 331-3663 ext. 127.

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is a non-profit organization that distributes more than 5 million pounds of food annually to more than 110 agencies in Northern Nevada and the Tahoe / Sierra region. Agencies include shelters, low-income daycare centers, rehabilitation programs, senior nutrition centers and emergency food assistance pantries. The Food Bank also offers six direct service programs that work to bring adequate nutrition to the populations that make up 75% of Food Bank clients - seniors and children. Last fiscal year, the Food Bank provided food to more than 90,000 people.

Source: Food Bank of Northern Nevada press release.

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RTC ACCESS, the paratransit service operated by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), has made some changes to its services, taking effect on July 1.

• Reno Sparks Cab will become the provider of night taxi rides and some daytime rides. The company will have five new wheelchair vans.
• A book of Washoe Senior Ride Taxi Bucks increases to $15 (face value $20). Minimum age to participate is now 65, with an annual income of under $40,000.
• RTC ACCESS clients can participate in the Taxi Bucks program at any age.
• Taxi Bucks are not good on RTC ACCESS or RTC RIDE buses.
• For more information, contact RTC’s Lea Rogers at (775) 335-1906.

Source: RTC press release.

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Getting over the hill on Interstate 80 is a chore in the best of times. This summer, however, it's really bad. As anyone who has driven west on I80 lately can testify, the highway is a traveler's nightmare. The problem is several projects worth of construction, starting at the Nevada state line and going with little interruption all the way to Colfax, California, a distance of almost 75 miles. There are eight projects being worked between March and November each year from 2009 through 2013. So, between summer road work and winter snow storms, driving on I80 is going to be a chore for some time.

To its credit, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) seems to be sincerely trying to mitigate the impacts to travelers and commerce. They've created an excellent website, GetAcross80.com, to help motorists navigate the detours and delays inherent in these extensive projects. The site has a calendar showing when delays are likely, traveler's information, details and news about the projects, a way to sign up for email alerts, and more. There are even links to Caltrans webcams so you can have a look see before hitting the road.

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Lots of people around here are thinking that nothing goes better together than the 4th of July and baseball. With that in mind, the Reno Aces Independence Day ballgame against the Sacramento River Cats is officially sold out. I'm not surprised considering that the usual Friday fireworks will be on the 4th instead and are billed to be the biggest show of the season. I don't know if there will be any last-minute seats available, but I suppose one could give it a try by calling or going to the Aces Ballpark box office. Even if you don't get in for the game, the fireworks will be visible from multiple places with a clear view of the sky over the stadium. Or you could just forget it and go to another 4th of July fireworks display around the area.

The 4th of July game is the first of a nine game homestand. The Aces host the Rivercats through July 7, then take on their south state rival the Las Vegas 51s for five games in a continuation of the Silver State Diamond Challenge. In case you miss the 4th of July at Aces Ballpark, the usual Friday fireworks display will blast off after the game on July 10.

Check the Reno Aces schedule for upcoming play in downtown Reno's Aces Ballpark.You can purchase single-game tickets in person at the stadium box office, online from RenoAces.com, or by phone at (775) 334-4700. If you can't be there in person, Reno Aces games can be heard on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.

Source: Reno Aces press release.

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This little known spot is my favorite place for an easy hike in the Reno area. The Huffaker Hills Trailhead happens to be about five minutes from my house, but I'd drive further to hike here. It's real wild land at the edge of the city, the trails are excellent, wildflowers abound in spring, and there are views across the Truckee Meadows in every direction. Families with children can enjoy the Huffaker Hills and the trails are a nice place to take dogs for a walk off the concrete and asphalt.

You've probably driven right by the Huffaker Hills without knowing these trails are there. They are right behind the shopping center on the southeast corner of McCarran Blvd. and Longley Lane. The access, Alexander Lake Road, winds up the side of the highest hill we know as Rattlesnake Mountain. For complete directions and a description of what you'll find there, check out my article on the Huffaker Hills Trailhead.

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