Charlene Hamilton

I know we just go through handing out candy and carving jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. But, Operation Christmas Child needs volunteers right now. The non-profit group Samaritan's Purse organizes the Operation Christmas Child program to help get much needed supplies to children in need all over the world. Their goal this year is to fill 8800 shoe boxes and send them to children in war-torn countries, poverty-stricken communities or places affected by natural disaster.

How to Pack Your Own Shoe Box:

1. Use an empty shoe box or shoe box size plastic container. Wrapping is optional.
2. Decide whether it's for a boy or girl or a particular age group (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14). Print the appropriate label from the Operation Christmas Child website, mark the pertinent info on the label and tape the label to the top of the box.
3. Fill shoe box with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap, etc), hard candy (double bagged), gum, T-shirts, socks, sunglasses, ball caps, watches, etc. and a personal note with a photo of your family (if you want). You may want to include your address so the child can send you a thank you note.
4. Please include a $7 donation in each box to help cover shipping costs as well as other programs Operation Christmas Child helps with. If you include a check, make it out to Samaritan's Purse with OCC on the memo line. If you use the EZ Give Program, you can make your donation online. The EZ Give program will allow you to print up a receipt that you can include to let Samaritan's Purse know that you paid online. It also gives you a tracking number that will allow you to see exactly where your shoe box ends up.
5. Put a rubber band around each shoe box and drop off at a collection center near you during November 15-23, 2009.

Volunteers are needed to help organize and ship all the shoe boxes that are received in the Reno area. For more information on how you can help, please call 714-432-7030 or visit the Samaritan's Purse website. Every little bit helps.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation specialist

On Saturday, October 31, 2009, Carson City will celebrate Nevada Day 2009. Nevada Day is the annual celebration of Nevada becoming the 31st state of the Union. Since trick-or-treating won't be happening until after dark, come to Carson City to celebrate the founding of Nevada in style. In addition to the annual Nevada Day Parade, there will be a whole slew of festivities to enjoy. Here's a rundown of just some of the events you can enjoy while in Carson City for Nevada Day (all events are for Saturday, October 31st, unless otherwise specified):

• Nevada Day Parade - 10am
• Rock Drilling Contest - 11:05 at Carson Nugget parking lot
• Nevada Day Pinewood Derby - 1pm to 5pm. Registration starts at 11am and is free for everyone ages 6+
• Battle of the High School Bands - Times vary
• Beard Contest - Free and open to anyone with a beard. Gentlemen, start your whiskers!
• Run/Walk - 8k and 2 mile runs and 2 mile walk. $30 entry fee per person, $90 for family of 4. For more info, please call (775) 883-3361.
• Governor's Mansion Tour - 12-4pm.
• Nevada Day Pow-Wow - This 3-day event lasts from Friday, October 30th to Sunday, November 1st. It's absolutely FREE to the public. Features Native American dancing, arts and crafts, food and more at the Colony Gym in Carson City. For more info, please call (775) 841-3182.
• Annual Chili Feed - 12-2pm at Carson Nugget's Banquet Center. Free admission.
• 10th Annual Silver State Rumble - 3pm. Amateur boxing at the Carson City Community Center. For prices and info, please call (775) 888-6806.
• RSVP Carnival Celebration - October 29-November 1 at Mills Park in Carson City. Admission is free.
• Brewery Arts Center Presents: Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours - 7:30pm at BAC Performance Hall. 5 piece "folkabilly" band. For more info and ticket prices, please call (775) 882-2600.
• BAWN Pancake Breakfast - 7-10am at Red's Old 395 Grill (1055 S Carson St). Cost: $6/person, kids 5 and under: free. Includes: pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and more. For more info, please call (775) 882-4353.
• Nevada Day Republican Ladies Pancake Breakfast - 7-9:30am at the Governor's Mansion. Cost: $6/adult, $3/kids under 10. Proceeds will be given in the form of two $1000 scholarships for two seniors: one from Carson High and one from Dayton High. For more info, please call (775) 884-3011.

Come out to Carson City this weekend and help celebrate the founding of our great state. Carson City celebrates Nevada Day on October 31, 2009, but the festivities happen all weekend long. I hope to see you there!

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation expert

Beginning Thursday, October 22nd through Halloween evening in the large lot in front of Reno's Roller Kingdom (515 E Seventh Ave), one of the newest and possibly scariest haunted houses: the Avenue of Screams Haunted House, will be available to anyone brave enough to enter. Learn more about the infamous "Curse of Dr. Carnage" while investigating Dr. Demiko's mansion with the Avenue of Screams team. Tickets are only $12 each. But, if you bring a canned food donation, you will receive $2 off on one ticket. Only one discount per person per food donation. Preferred donations include peas, green beans, corn, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, stuffing and soup. The Haunted House is only recommended for kids ages 13 or older. Portions of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Reno Roller Girls and Reno American Little League. For more info, please call 775-329-3472 or email to info@HauntedHouseReno.com.

Schedule of the Avenue of Screams Haunted House:

October 22: 7pm-11pm
October 23: 7pm-12am
October 24: 7pm-12am
October 25: 7pm-11pm
October 28: 7pm-11pm
October 29: 7pm-11pm
October 30: 7pm-12am
October 31: 6pm-12am

Have yourself a scary good time at Reno's Avenue of Screams Haunted House.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation expert

This weekend, you can either Walk for Wine or Run for Education in Reno. Or, if you don't want to make a choice, do both! On Saturday, October 17th, the Riverwalk Merchants Association is holding its monthly Wine Walk in the downtown Reno Riverwalk district from 2-5pm. Get a map from any of the Riverwalk shops to find out which merchants are particpating in the program. For just $20 and a valid photo ID, you will receive a wine glass and bracelet that allows you wine tasting at any of the participating Reno merchants. This fun program happens every third Saturday of the month. So, if you don't make it this month, you'll get another "shot" next month.

On Sunday, October 18th, there will be a special Run for Education that starts and finishes at Damonte Ranch High School at 9am. This includes a 5k, 10k, kids run and special post-race festival. The money raised from the Run for Education go towards helping Washoe County School District's Kids in Motion and Passport programs. The Kids in Motion program provides mini-grants to elementary schools to help them purchase fitness equipment. Since the program's inception in 2005, they have given Washoe County schools over 90 grants. The Passport program assists students from K-12 who need financial assistance to help with summer school, inter-session classes and tutoring. More than 2000 students have benefitted directly from the Passport program. Cash prizes will be awarded for both men and women who place 1st through 3rd in the 10k and 5k runs. And there will be plenty of activities after the run for all ages to enjoy.

Head over to Reno this weekend for some fun times!

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation specialist

Get your passport to North Tahoe dining on Thursday, October 8th, from 6-9pm at the North Lake Tahoe Event Center.  The North Tahoe Business Association will be hosting this fabulous, fun event to help showcase the talents of local chefs.  In addition to great food, you can sample micro brews, wine, live music and take part in a silent auction and raffle.  Just some of the great restaurants and breweries featured at this year's event are the family-owned Italian eatery Lanza's, Conrads Steak, Chops and Seafood House, microbrews from the Fifty Fifty Brewing Company and Lake Tahoe's own pizzeria CB's Pizza and Grill.  Tickets are only $30 per person.  Get your tickets today at www.northtahoebusiness.org.  This is a great way to experience North Tahoe in the fall and get a taste of what North Tahoe has to offer.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation specialist