Terrie Leighton

With only six home games this 2008 season, you won't want to miss one of them!

The University of Nevada Wolf Pack Football is part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) along with eight other teams: Boise State, Texas Tech, Utah State, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech, Fresno State and Idaho.

Schedule of 2008 home games:

Saturday, August 30, the Wolf Pack plays Grambling State at 6:05 p.m.

Saturday, September 6, the Wolf Pack plays Texas Tech, at 6:05 p.m.

Saturday, October 11, the Wolf Pack plays New Mexico State at 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, October 18, the Wolf Pack plays Utah State at 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, November 15, the Wolf Pack plays San Jose State at 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, November 22, the Wolf Pack plays Boise State at 1:05 p.m.

All home games are played at Mackay Stadium located at the University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack football games can be purchased on line or by calling (775) 348-PACK!

Authored by Terrie Leighton. August 2008. Terrie is a Real Estate Agent with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate. All information in this post is considered accurate but is not guaranteed.

Start your Labor Day weekend off early today and check out The Best in the West Rib Cook-Off on Victorian Square in Sparks, Nevada.

This six day event begins today and runs through Monday. There will be 25 vendors cookin' up ribs with "0" vendors giving out their "secret recipe". Today's attraction will be the Best in the West Rib Eating Contest with top competitive eaters, including Joey Chestnut, the defending champion!

The cost is FREE and plenty of food and drink are for sale at booths. Craft vendors are also set up and selling crafts and other must have items.

The time to go is today through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Be sure to check out the live entertainment each night while enjoying your favorite ribs, corn on the cob and fresh squeezed lemon aide!

If ribs are not your style, don't worry, this weekend Fallon, Nevada is having its 23rd annual "Hearts Of Gold Cantaloupe Festival and Fair!"

Fallon, Nevada is located approximately 30 minutes East of Sparks, Nevada, just off Interstate 80. The drive is quick and enjoyable if you are interested in checking out this festival and fair!

The Cantaloupe Festival and Fair begins on Friday, August 29th and ends on Monday, September 1, 2008. The festival is located at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.

Admission is $5 for adults and Seniors, $3 for children.

Scheduled events include live boxing, the Kent Family Circus and the Battle of the Bands. You will also get a chance to see the Wide World of Animals Tiger Show, a Cantaloupe Chuckin' Contest (you won't want to miss that). While there, be sure to check out the fair and exhibits to enjoy and shop at.

There is plenty of information available on line at www.fallonchamber.com if you are interested in attending. I love to go to this event just to buy the fresh cantaloupe, it is sweet and delicious! It is well worth the drive from Sparks.

And finally, a great way to cool off is at Wild Island Adventure Park! Labor Day Weekend is the last chance you will have to take advantage of the waterpark.

Wild Island Adventure Park is located on Sparks Blvd. just off Interstate 80, Sparks, Nevada. The hours of operation for the waterpark are 11a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday through Monday.

There is more than just speed slides, water wides and wave pools at Wild Island, when you are finished splashing in the sun, go check out the Mini Golf park, go bowling or take a ride on the Go Karts! There is so much to do at Wild Island, it may just take you all three days to experience it all.

What ever you decide to do this Labor Day Weekend, I hope you have a safe, fun and exciting time!

Authored by Terrie Leighton. August 2008. Terrie is a Real Estate Agent with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate. The information contained in this blog is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

Ferrari-Lund Real Estate reported an increase in recent sales and inventory for June and July 2008 as compared to sales and inventory for June and July 2007! Buyers, take note, homes prices are low and inventory is high, now is a great time to consider buying a home!

Washoe County also reported an increase in previously owned homes sales in July 2008 as compared to sales of previously owned homes in July of 2007.

Property values have dropped approximately 16% from this time last year with the median price of a home in Washoe County of $240,000, according to the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service.

What this means is that more inventory is on the market today than last year, but prices have dropped and more buyers are out there purchasing homes that are now in their price range.

With inventory up, prices down, buyers are definatley getting great deals in Northern Nevada.

Have we hit rock bottom?

We don't know. Historically, if you are buying a home, you need to spend at least five to ten years owning it before considering selling in order to see an increase in the value of your home.

So why buy now?

There are many reason to buy in today's market.

First, inventory. With so many homes to choose from, you are certain to find the home you are looking for in the neighborhood you want, with the features you want, and the size you want.

Second, interest rates. Interest rates are low. Just like the prices of homes today, there is no way to predict what interest rates will be tomorrow. So why not take advantage of the low rates offered today instead of risking a higher rate in the future.

Third, pricing. Inventory is high and sellers realize one of the most important part of selling a home is pricing. Homes on the market today are priced to sell.

These are just a few things to help you think about when considering buying in today's market. I hope you find then helpful with your decision making.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Northern Nevada, why not give me, Terrie Leighton, a call. I can help you with all you Real Estate Needs!

Authored By Terrie Leighton August 2008. Terrie is a Real Estate Agent with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate. The information included in this post is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

What is Burning Man?

Living in Nevada, I am often asked about a famous event  called  "Burning Man". When I tell those who ask that I have never been , their response is always the same, "Why Not? You live to close not to go?" I am not sure why I have never had the desire to attend this annual event, but many of my friends and family have. So I have heard the stories, seen the pictures, read articles in newspapers and magazines. I have even helped out with the costume making.

So just what, where,or who, is Burning Man?

Every year, tens of thousands of people gather in the Black Rock Desert celebrate life, freedom, happiness, spirituality, art and so on.  The Black Rock Desert is about a 120 miles North of Reno, Nevada. The towns of Empire and Gerlach serve as guardians to this region.

 Burning Man is a week long indulgence of "Anything Goes" where communities are formed, if only for a week, and where lasting, life long friendships are formed.

While researching information for this years Burning Man, I ran across an essay written by Molly Steenson. She describes the Burning Man experience so eloquently it almost made me want to fork out the $295 it costs for at ticket to attend this event!

People from across the world attend Burning Man. Tickets go on sale a year in advance. Vacations are scheduled around Burning Man. Costumes and temporary living shelters are made nine months a head of time. It is a big deal for those who attend to have a different costume each night. Most people bring decorated bikes, scooters, or golf carts to make their way around the 400 acres of the Black Rock Desert.

The dates for Burning Man 2008 are August 22 to September 1. Tickets are still available but are not sold at the door.   BurningMan.com  has more information on tickets and a schedule of events.

Authored By Terrie Leighton August 2008. Terrie is a Real Estate Agent with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate. Pictures a courtesy of Brandon Blackbern.

School begins August 25, 2008 for Washoe County Students!

It is back to school time in Northern Nevada so I thought I would share some information about our school system to those who are new to this area and to those who might be relocating to Northern Nevada.

If you live in Reno, Sparks, Spanish Springs, Incline Village, Gerlack and Wadsworth, and have a child that will be attending school, he or she will attend a school in the Washoe County School District.

The Washoe County School District is the second largest district in Nevada. Total enrollment is more than 63,000 students. The school district employs more than 7,200 employees and over 1,300 substitute teachers. This makes the Washoe County School District one of Northern Nevada's largest employers.

Currently there are 64 elementary schools, a special education school, 15 middle schools, 12 high schools plus Washoe High School (an alternative school), Truckee Meadows community College Manget High School and the Regional Technical Institute.

~High Schools are grades 9 - 12~

~Middle Schools are grades 7 - 8~

~Elementary Schools are grades K - 6~

The high schools and middle schools in Northern Nevada are on a "traditional" school year. This means they follow the nine-month school year calendar. Classes will begin on August 25, 2008 for the students who attend these schools.

The elementary schools follow traditional, year-round and multi-track calenders. The year-round and multi-track schools started the 2008-2009 school year on July 7, 2008.

What is the difference between a year-round schedule and a multi-track schedule?

A year-round school holds classes for 230 - 240 days rather than the traditional 180 day schedule. The schools who adapt a multi-rack schedule, usually four tracks, are able to accommodate more students during each school year. This is a way to help ease overcrowding in the school system.

Because a year-round school will always have one group (track) of students on vacation, or "off" track, a school built for 600 students can accommodate 800 when it converts to a multi-track schedule.

Here is how this system works. Let's say there are four tracks per school. Red track, Green track, Blue track and Yellow tack. Red, Blue and Yellow tracks began the new school year on July 7, 2008. Green was considered "off" track and did not start the 2008-2009 school year until August 3, at which time yellow track went "off" track. When they return in September, Red track will go "off" tack. Are you confused yet? There is always a track off and three on. Generally, students are in school for three months and then they are off for a month. It sounds crazy but it works. My kids are on blue track and have February, June and October off. We love it.

Students who attend year-round schools aslo follow the holiday schedule that traditional school follow. This means they are get Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and so on, off.

The difference between the multi-track and year-round schools is the year-round schools have adapted the same school year calender as multi-track schools but are a single track school because they believe it is educationally advantageous to have students take multiple breaks rather than one long summer break.

The Washoe County School District has information regarding zoning, relocation, schools that are on traditional, year-round and multi-track on line. You will also find information on employment, teaching quailifacations, addresses and phone numbers for all schools in the district.

If you have any questions regarding any of the information I have provided or are looking to relocate to this area, please feel free to contact me any time and I will be happy to assist you in any way I can.

Authored by Terrie Leighton: August 2008. Terrie is a Real Estate agent with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate.

Disclaimer: The information is this post is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed.