Charlene Hamilton

The historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad (V&T Railroad) line reopened this weekend. The inaugural ride was attended by Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, State Senator Bill Raggio (R-Reno) and other dignitaries on Friday. The official opening to the public on Saturday (August 15) was sold out. As in the days of old, the line runs from between Virginia City and Carson City.

The famous Comstock rail line was once known as the "Queen of the Short Lines" and ran between Virginia City and Carson City, as well as between Carson City and Reno. After the silver mines played out, the Virginia City-Carson City line closed in 1938. A decade later, cars became the popular mode of transportation, causing the Reno-Carson City line to close on May 31, 1950.

The first train rolled down the tracks in 1870. The line served the Comstock mines, hauling ore as well as lumber from the Sierra Nevadas to Carson City. The V&T was also a first class passenger line which served Minden, Carson City, Virginia City and Reno travelers. The V&T Railroad connected with the transcontinental Central Pacific Railroad in Reno.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, chairman of the Nevada Commission on Tourism stated, "It's a good day for tourism in Northern Nevada. I think this is such a unique attraction that we will be getting tourists who come here just to ride the railroad. I think this is one of the most important tourism developments in Northern Nevada in many years." The Tourism Commission estimates 80,000 riders will ride the rails next year and they expect as many as 100,000 tourists will make the historic ride part of their itinerary in the years to come.

The V&T Railroad has operated a train from Virginia City to Gold Hill for many years. But now, riders will be able to experience the thrill of riding some of the curviest and steepest lines in the nation. The reopened rail line features a steam engine and cars which have been replicated to re-create the sights and sounds of the days when silver was king.

All Aboard For The Virginia and Truckee Railroad!

Round-trip tickets: $48 per adult, $36 for children under 12, $40 for seniors (65+)
Saturdays only available through the end of October.
Ticket Reservations: 800-NEVADA-1 or buy tickets on line at www.VisitCarsonCity.com

Charlene Hamilton - Your Reno Relocation Expert!

The Washoe County HOME Consortium (WCHC) has announced two new down payment assistance programs for first-time home buyers. One of the biggest challenges to would-be homeowners is saving up the money needed for a down payment. However, if you are saving money to purchase a home in the future, you may be able to take advantage of one of these programs now.

Both the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) and the HOME Program will grant qualifying first-time homebuyers a loan up to $20,000 to be used to as a down payment. There are many similarities in the programs and some major differences.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Home Program Similarities:

• Borrower must have at least 3.5% of the required down payment in personal funds.
• The property must be the borrower's primary residence for the life of the loan.
• If the home is sold or is not used as the primary residence, the loan becomes due and payable in full immediately.
• The funds granted to the borrower may also be applied towards closing costs or to purchase points.
• Borrower and property must qualify.
• Borrowers must complete a homebuyer course.
• Program funds are limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Home Program Differences:

Keep in mind that a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a home for three years or more. For more detail regarding the Neighborhood Stabilization Program or the HOME Program by going to the City of Reno website. There, you will find links for program details and contact information.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation expert

It will be a very busy week here in Reno, with the Hot August Nights full calendar and the Legends Reno Tahoe Open (two of Reno's biggest events).

Hot August Nights

No one knew back on August 1, 1986 that a nostalgic "rock and roll" event would become a premier car show that would bring over 800,000 to Reno to attend the biggest car show in the nation. The parade of classic cars cruisin' down Virginia Street was the highlight event in 1986 and the event which gave birth to today's Hot August Nights, which features show-n-shine car shows, a Big Boy Toy Store, Swap Meet and a big bash sock hop.

Please click the picture below to view the official Hot August Nights 2009 video:

I cannot begin to list all of the events and venues scheduled for this week, but I will highlight a few. The Hot August Nights Sock Hop will be held at Circus Circus in the Mandalay Ballroom on August 5th. This year's theme is "Grease". The emcee and great music from the 50's, 60's and 70's will be provided by The River, 103.7 FM. Food and themed cocktails will be served. The proceeds from the Sock Hop ticket sales will be donated to the Hot August Nights Foundation. Tickets will be available at the door. I do recommend that you purchase them in advance at the circusreno.com website or at the Circus Circus Main Cashiers Cage. For information or tickets, you can call 789-5604 or 800-648-5010.

If you want to build your own hot rod or just "cherry" your classic, you will not want to miss the Big Boy's Toy Store at the Reno Events Center. Almost 300 vendors will be on hand with the finest in street rod, hot rod and truck accessories for sale.

If you enjoy seeing people win money, you will want to attend one of all of the Grand Sierra's Classic Cherry Show-n-Shine giveaways (11am-5 pm). The five owners of "Best of Show" vehicles will be awarded $500. The cash prizes will be award each evening at 7p.m. starting tomorrow and ending on Friday. The "Best of Show" daily winners will automatically be entered into the "Best of Show" competition for the final judging for the grand prize of $10,000 and a trophy, which will be awarded on Saturday, August 8th at 9:30 p.m.

In addition to all of the great Hot August Nights events, you can enter a raffle drawing for a chance to win a fabulous '69 Chevy Camaro SS convertible, which features a Chevy 350 engine, automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, all black interior and a metallic blue with black stripes paint job. The Camaro was restored by Don and Normandy Brooks, proud owners of B&T Custom Rod and Restoration. Tickets are only $1.00! To increase your chances and save a little, you may also purchase 6 tickets for $5, 30 tickets for $25 and 150 tickets for $100. Tickets are available at the Hot August Nights office and other locations. The winner will be announced on October 3, 2009 at the Hot August Nights Fall Frenzy, which is being held in the Circus Circus parking lot. All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the Hot August Nights Foundation. The Hot August Nights Foundation provides help for children in need or at risk.

Hot August Night events are scheduled everyday, all day and into the night through August 9th.

The Legends Reno-Tahoe Open
The Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is a favorite among the PGA members and fans. Competitors this year are playing for a tournament purse of $3,000,000. The tournament will be played at the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, Montrêux Golf and Country Club. The event will be aired live on the Golf Channel starting Thursday at 3:30-5:30pm PST. Live coverage will continue on Friday and Saturday at the same time. The tournament will end on Sunday with live broadcasting from 4:00-6:00pm PST.

Spectators attending the tournament will find some interesting sideline entertainment. At the 16th hole, you will be able to fiesta (party) with Latin themed drinks, a burrito and a taco bar while being entertained by a live Mariachi band. Wine lovers will want to take part in the Vino 100 Wine Walk, where they can sample fine wines at several tasting stations. For those interested in living a healthier lifestyle, there is a special booth for you sponsored by Renown. Pedometers and maps will be available for those wanting to walk all or part of the course. For the young golf enthusiasts, there will be a Kidz Par Tee Zone, which features several kid-oriented activities such as face painting, a bounce house and a putt-putt course.

The Legends Reno-Tahoe Open will also be offering you an opportunity to make some charitable contributions. Birdies For Charity will be awarding a grand prize to the person closest to predicting the number of total number of birdies made by the PGA players. To participate, just make a pledge for each birdie shot (from 1 cent to $10). Last year's birdie count was 1466. If you enjoy the game and would likve to share your love for the game while supporting our troops, you may donate new or used clubs and balls to Clubs For The Armed Forces.

You may still be able to buy tickets for the tournament online, by phone (775-322-3900) or at the grounds gate.

Tickets Online: https://tickets.legendsrenotahoeopen.com/
Spectator Information: http://www.legendsrenotahoeopen.com/spectators/

No matter what you do this week, I hope you have a great one.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation specialist

No need to travel to Hawaii this summer. You can enjoy all the wonderful aspects of the Polynesian culture right here in Reno this weekend (July 24-26). The Pacific Island Festival is another element of Reno’s Artown Festival 2009 to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

The 11th Annual Pacific Island Festival is being sponsored by the Silver Legacy and the Pacific Exchange. As part of the Artown Festival, many of the events will be free to the public. The festival will feature Polynesian music and dance that includes a Heiva i Reno Tahitian Dance Competition. As with any festival, there will be booths offering favorites foods of the islands as well as arts and crafts. There will even be a Drunken Pig Cook-off.

The arts, crafts and food booths can be found on the Plaza, where a main stage will also offer the music of the islands. The Heiva i Reno will be held in the Downtown Reno Ballroom, where dancers from across the country will compete for the honorable Overall Title. Winners will also receive cash prizes.

Friday July 24
3pm: Opening Ceremonies
3:30 – 7pm: Food and craft booths open
4:30 – 7pm: Live music and dance performances
3:30 – 7pm: Heiva I Reno Dance Competition

Saturday July 25
10am – 5:30pm: Heiva i Reno Dance Competition continues
11am – 7pm: Food and craft booths open with live music and dance performances

Sunday July 26
11am – 5pm: Food and craft booths open, with live music and dance performances
2 – 2:30pm: Heiva i Reno Winners perform

If you would like to expand your multi-cultural experiences, head over to Wingfield Park, where the Basque will be celebrating their cultural heritage. The festival will include traditional folk dancing and music, great Basque food and souvenirs. The festival will feature weight-carrying and wood chopping contests. For the kids, there will be a bota bag contest.

Sunday’s festivities will begin with an open-air Catholic Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral (310 West 2nd Street) at 10:30 am featuring traditional Basque music, dances and song followed by a Basque BBQ lunch served in the West Street Plaza. The afternoon will be reserved for dancing, card playing and visiting until 3 PM.

Once again, as part of the Artown Festival, this event is free. The 30th Basque Festival will be begin at 10 am on Saturday. On Sunday, the festivities will begin at 10:30 am with an open-air celebration of the Catholic Mass. The mass will be celebrated at the St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, which will be followed by a Basque BBQ at the West Street Plaza . Following the BBQ will be more dancing and some card playing. The event ends at 3p.m.

If you're not sure what a Drunken Pig Cook-off is or what a bota bag contest is, then attend the festivals this weekend to learn about the culture and enjoy the music, dance and beauty of the islands and the Basque people right here in downtown Reno.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation specialist

First Lady Michelle Obama made the news when she hosted a "harvest party" in the White House gardens last month. Organic gardening and farmers markets have received increasing attention across the country as people become more health conscious and look for fresher, better tasting fruits and vegetables than what can be found in local supermarkets.

If organic gardening is on your list of interests, you will want to attend a seminar on July 25th (10 am), which is being hosted by Nevada Naturals. The seminar will take place at the UNR Agricultural Experimental Station located at 910 Valley Road. The seminar will focus on growing vegetables without the soil by using hydroponics and aeroponics systems. Admission to the seminar is free. Call (775) 771-2976 for more details.

If growing your own fruits and vegetables is not quite your thing, you may want to visit one of the farmer's market events held in Reno each week. The newest farmer's market can be found in downtown Reno at the West Street Market. The Sparks Hometowne Farmer's Market is considered by many to be the best of the best.

Both the West Street Market and the Sparks Hometowne Farmer's Market offer more than veggies and fruits. These markets are more like mini-fairs, with attractions an d entertainment. The Sparks Hometowne Farmer's Market even offers cooking demonstrations. You will not only find fresh, great-tasting fruits and vegetables, but bread, pastries and more at many of the local farmer's markets.

If you don't have time to shop, you can have your fresh veggies delivered to your door. Farm Fresh To You not only delivers fresh fruit and vegetables right to your door, they also offer farm tours. This month's tour (July 25) offers tomato tasting and a best picnic basket contest. The farm also offers overnight camping sites. For more information regarding tours and camping, call Moyra (800-796-6009).

Farmer's markets do not always offer the best prices in town, but they do offer organically grown, great tasting, "kissed by the gods" fruits and vegetables . Shopping local farmer's markets is easy in the Reno area, as there is a market open every day of the week, except Mondays.

Reno - Sparks Farmer's Markets:
Tuesdays:
Shopper's Square
Plumb Lane & S Virginia St, Reno
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

United Methodist Church
1231 Pyramid Way, Sparks
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wednesdays:
Somersett Towne Square
7650 Towne Square Way
4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursdays:
Sparks Hometowne Farmer's Market
Victorian Square, Sparks
4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Fridays:
Tamarack Junction Casino
13101 S. Virginia St., Reno
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Saturdays:
Reno Village Shopping Center, California Ave & Booth St
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 6 - Oct. 3

Sundays:
West Street Market
Downtown Reno, between 1st and 2nd Streets
5 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation expert