Terrie Leighton , Realtor Northern Nevada Real Estate

Artown 2008 in Reno, Nevada

If you live in Northern Nevada and want to save money this summer, you are in luck because Reno's Artown 2008 is here for the entire month of July. With over 350 events scheduled, hundreds of them free, you won't have to spend a lot of money to get an experience you and your family will not soon forget.

What is Artown?

Artown is in its 13th year and is a festival of arts and cultural events that are offered and performed at different venues throughout the City of Reno. For the entire month, you can attend free events throughout the cities parks along the Truckee River or attend ticketed events at theatres or showroom's all over town.

The festival was founded 13 years ago by a small group of businesses and art executives who wanted to help revitalize downtown Reno. They were hoping to attract attention to the area by using the arts to improve the cites self image and give locals a reason to play locally again.

It worked! The first year, in 1996, "The Festival of The Arts" attracted approximately 30,000 visitors. Nearly 350,000 people are expected to experience the festival this month.

One of the popular attractions that does not cost a dime is the "Movies in the Park" program. This year, Disney's "Lion King" and Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo" are just two of the movies that will be showing in Wingfield Park. Just bring a blanket and pack a picnic, kick off your shoes, sit back and you will be set for the evening and a sure to have a great time. Last year I took my family to see "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". My kids still talk about what fun it was to sit under the stars and watch a movie.

Musical highlights include "Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis", they will be appearing at the Sierra Grand Summit. "Mandy Patinkin in Concert With Ford on Piano" will be performing at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Reno. The Reno Municipal Band will play on several occasions at different venures as well.

Numerous hands on activities are geared toward children to get them involved. A variety workshops offered are sculpting, painting, acting and dancing. Sometimes parents just bring their children to play in the Truckee River and stay for dinner and enjoy a free concert in the park.

To get a complete list of scheduled events and activities visit www.renoisartown.com . Show times, places to be, who and what and where are listed for your convenience. You won't want to miss Artown 200 in Reno this year.

Below are few pictures of opening night I hope you will enjoy.

Opening night was kicked off with face painting for the kids and a parade to help start the festival.

The Heliosphere's Aerial Dancer's Perform on opening night

Elodorado's FloorPlay, a ballroom dancing performance group.

The MarchFourth Marching Band performing in stilts.

Ferrari-Lund Real Estate

Copyright 2008 by Terrie Leighton

It's not your everyday Farmer's Market!

It it hard to believe for us locals here in Northern Nevada that this year marks the 16th year of the Sparks Hometown Farmer's Market. What started back in 1992 as a small, quiet, farmer's market with fresh produce from area farmers and a few vendors selling things like popcorn to soda's turned into a "must attend" venue for hundred's of vendor's and thousands of people each week.

The farmer's market is held in downtown Sparks, Nevada this summer every Thursday evening from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. now until August 21, except on August 7th.

Downtown Sparks is considered to be on Victorian Square, just off t Pyramid Way and Interstate 80. You can easily spot the event while driving toward or away from Sparks..

Market attendees are encouraged to ride the farmer's market express shuttle, courtesy of the Regional Transportation Commission and the City of Sparks.

The shuttle runs from Reed High School, at the corner of Baring and Sparks Blvd. and will drop off and pick up at the farmer's market. The shuttle if free and runs every 15 minutes during each farmer's market beginning at 3:30p.m. and ending at 9:30p.m. If you have any questions regarding the shuttle service you can call 775-348-ride. Parking at the high school is also free.

Last night my daughter, Kenna and I decided to take the shuttle to the event and I would like to share a couple photos of the fresh produce and some of the activities that were happening at last nights Sparks Hometown Farmer's Market.

First, the shuttle service, right on time! We timed it perfectly and didn't have to wait going to or from the market. It saved us so much time and money. There was no driving around looking for a place to park and wasting gas doing so. Already loving the farmers market! (Not loving the close up, scary!)

Each week, attendees are also encouraged to participate in the Farmer's Market recycling program. This week was recycle cell phones and computers! Great, I have an old cell phone my new puppy Wonda chewed on, oops! A different theme is offered on each Thursday as well. Last night was "Let the Rodeo Begin". The 89th Reno Rodeo is in town this week. It is one of the 4 largest rodeos in the country!!

At this farmer's market, there is plenty of fresh produce. Take a look at some of the awesome fruits and vegetables that farmers from Yerington, Fallon, Uba City, Salinas and other Northern Nevada and Northern California farmers have grown and delivered fresh to this weeks market.

We found cherries, peaches, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, green beans, corn, just to name a few of the assortment of vegetables and fruit available. Everything was so fresh, sweet and smelled unbelievable as well. Definitely something for every palette.

Kenna found fresh roasted corn on the cob with butter and seasoning to snack on. We also found fresh squeezed lemonade, a favorite of mine.

Not only can shoppers enjoy fresh fruit and produce, a variety of food and beverage vendors also share the venue on Victorian Square. Unique arts and crafts, an assortment fresh flowers, local businesses offering discounts and giveaways for visiting their booths, a puppeteer and a face painter were entertaining adults and children.

Live music is also an attraction to this event each week. Fresh drinks and dancing really help set the mood. Did I mention this is not your everyday farmer's market?

I also feel should mention, although there is a free shuttle service available, there is plenty of free parking available if you drive. The city has two public parking structures to accommodate up to 900 vehicles and there is also street parking available as well.

Overall, Kenna and I had a great time. We bought some peaches and tomatoes, had snacks, and I didn't have to cook dinner!

The Spark's Hometown Farmer's Market is a great way to spend your Thursday evenings this summer. Bring the family and enjoy all the people and festivities.

There are five other farmers markets in the Reno-Sparks areas that I would like mention as well:

Tuesdays: Shoppers Square at Plums Lane and Virginia Streets, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. now through Oct. 7th; United Methodist Church, 1231 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. now through Sept. 16.

Wednesdays: Somersette Towne Square, 7659 Towne Square Way, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. now through Aug.20.

Fridays: Tamarack Junction Casino, 13101 S. Virginia St., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. now through Oct. 10.

Saturdays: Village Center, California Avenue and Booth Street, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. now through Oct. 4.

I hope you have a chance to visit one of these great farmers markets or one in your area at least once this summer.

Sincerely,

Copyright 2008 By Terrie Leighton

Spanish Springs Cal Ripken Baseball

The Cal Ripken Major Division Astros are crowned champs! The Astros defeated the Dodgers 11-4 to capture the season ending tournament title.

In the double elimination tournament, the Astros were undefeated at 4 -0 outscoring their opponents 64-19. The Astros pitcher, Alec Leighton threw four scoreless innings in the championships game to lead his team to victory.

Congratulations to all the boys, and Brandi, our awesome first base girl, and to the coaches who worked so hard to help win this title.

I am very proud of my son Alec, who had such a great tournament and season. I am also very proud of my husband Steve for managing this team. I know the kids had a great season.

Well done!!

Alec and Steve after winning the championship!

Congratulations Astros!

This could be your chance to win $25,000 cash in the Wolf Pack Golf Ball Drop!

On June 20th, a helicopter will fly over the Wolf Run Golf Course, dropping golf balls from the sky onto the practice range.

The Ball that lands in the specially made hole will be the winner of $25,000 cash. And....you do not need to be present to win!

You could be a part of the "Stay True on the Green" golf ball benefit for Wolf Pack athletes!

How to enter:

Simply purchase a golf ball for $25 and you will be entered in the helicopter golf ball drop.

A number will then be assigned to each entry and printed on a golf ball.

Wait for your number of your golf ball to be picked....the $25,000 cash will be yours. (If your lucky ball is picked of course)

Where to buy your golf ball:

Log on to www.nevadawolfback.com to buy your golf ball today! or

Call the University of Nevada Athletic Department at 775-682-6902

About Wolf Run Golf Club:

Located at 1400 Wolf Run Road, Reno, Nevada, the Wolf Run Golf Club championship course offers a challenge golf experience for any golfer.

The family at Wolf Run Golf Course prides itself on being the home course for the University of Nevada Men's and Women's' Golf Teams. They are also the host of the 18- team Nevada Collegiate Invitational.

For more information on this course, log on to www.wolfrungolfclub.com or call 775-851-3301.

Great Basin Adventure Park

Located inside the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, surrounded by 600 acre's of manicured turf, is the Great Basin Adventure Park. Kids of all ages enjoy a visit to this park. Inside there is a petting zoo, pony rides, an old fashioned log flume ride, a mine replica complete with shaft slides, gold panning and a discovery room.

There is also a wetland habitat nature walk and a place where kids can climb dinosaures that are one-third the size they were when they roamed the earth.

The park was created in honor of the late Wilbur D. May, born in 1898, the son of the founder of the highly successful May Department Stores.

Wilbur D. May was a supporter of a variety of children's organizations and shared his time and wealth helping educate youngsters.

He moved to Reno, Nevada in 1936 and remained here until his death in 1982. The Wilbur D. May foundation and center were established to perpetuate Wilbur's commitment toward family, children and education.

Today a lucky group of fifth graders from Bud Beasley Elementary School in Sparks, Nevada, get to celebrate the end of the 2007-2008 school year with a field trip to the Great Basin Adventure Park.

Before they go inside they were able to picnic at one of the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park's four covered picnic area's and enjoy snow cones before most of the kids dashed over to get in for the log ride in hopes of getting wet! Mission accomplished for most of the kids, they were soaked by the end of the day.

The children had a great day ad the Great Basin Adventure Park and are sure to return at least once with their parents during the summer while out of school. If you would like more information on the parks in the Reno/Sparks areas, you can log on to www.washoecountyparks. com. And if you would like information on schools in this area, you can log on to www.washoe.12.nv.us.