May/June 2008
I quickly lost interest in backyard cultivation when I discovered farmers’ markets with fresh-from-the-garden fruits and vegetables from local and regional growers. Generally, the Nevada season runs from May through September, except for the year-round operations in Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas.
May/June 2008
The first thought that entered my mind after seeing Eldorado’s latest show, “FloorPlay,” was: “How does the cast keep dancing, spinning, twirling, flipping, and sweating for so long?” “The excitement of doing the dances we love is enough to bring the energy out of us,” says dancer Robin Windsor. Bringing some of that energy to the audience, the dancers frequently and spontaneously belt out “Hey!”
May/June 2008
Nevada Magazine’s Web site has earned first place in the 2008 National Headliner Awards, one of the oldest and largest annual contests recognizing journalistic merit in the communications industry. The Press Club of Atlantic City gave NevadaMagazine.com top billing in the “Magazine Affiliated Online Journalism” division.
May/June 2008
Call them what you like: mountain oysters, sheep fries, ranch delicacies—they’re still sheep testicles. But once visitors to Virginia City’s annual Mountain Oyster Fry get over that potentially disturbing fact, they find the quirky festival—and unorthodox fare—rather delightful.
May/June 2008
Lake Tahoe is a special place. One look at its deep blue waters can inspire people to accomplishments they never thought possible. In September 2007 and 2006, two athletes rose to a challenge: swim across Lake Tahoe. One became the first person with Down syndrome to cross the lake, and the other did the swim without the use of his legs.
May/June 2008
The Fremont Street Walking Tour takes you on a journey through classic Las Vegas. Like most things Vegas, downtown shows best at night, when the Fremont Street Experience and the Fremont East District light up.
May/June 2008
In less than two months’ time, two Northern Nevada towns were devastated by natural disasters. More than 300 miles separate Wells and Fernley, but both are entrenched in the aftermaths of catastrophic events that caught the respective communities sleeping, literally.
March/April 2008
Wildlife viewing can truly be an adventure. Nevada, no doubt, is an adventure place, with many regions of the state still relatively unspoiled. What better reason to explore Nevada’s unique and rugged landscapes than to search out and see the wondrous wildlife species that grace our valleys, hills, lakes, and mountainsides?
March/April 2008
The reaction of visitors to the Oats Park art Center in Fallon is often one of pleasant surprise, especially when they set foot in the stunning Barkley Theatre. “I wait for it now—there’s a sharp intake of breath, and they say ‘I had no idea,’” says Valerie Serpa, Churchill Arts Council executive director. Tourists are taken aback when they discover the center, home to all Churchill Arts Council programs and activities.
March/April 2008
Resort-casinos in Reno and Sparks see 2008 as a rebuilding year, and there might even be a few new ones in the coming years if all goes as planned. Leading the way is Peppermill Reno, which opened its 19-story Tuscany Tower late last year.
March/April 2008
Brewing beer is as American as apple pie. After all, the Pilgrims and Founding Fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Samuel Adams engaged in this fruitful enterprise. Nevadans must be true patriots, evidenced by the medley of breweries that dot the Silver State. Three of Nevada’s earliest modern breweries—Big Dog’s, Great Basin, and Ruby Mountain—have set a precedent of excellence.
March/April 2008
At one time Linda Faiss and her husband, Bob, were living the American dream, content in their home overlooking the Boulder City Golf Course. That was until six years ago, when they stumbled across a lot on the outskirts of town with spectacular views of Lake Mead and Fortification Hill showcasing impressive pink and purple sunsets. It turns out it was the ideal location for them to live “green.”
March/April 2008
In a 24/7 town like Las Vegas, lounges provide necessary catch-your-breath moments. Maybe you want a place for a quiet drink or chat. Or maybe you’re just walking by and the haunting strains of “Summer Wind” snag you. That kind of scenario makes the Galleria Bar in Caesars Palace, Luxor’s Aurora, and Peppermill Fireside Lounge the quintessential modern Vegas lounges.
March/April 2008
Some might say brass isn’t a precious enough metal for a 25th-anniversary gift, but the Tahoe Queen isn’t complaining. In celebration of her quarter-century of plying Lake Tahoe, the authentic paddle wheeler is undergoing a half-million-dollar renovation, complete with a new brushed-brass look for all the deck railings.
March/April 2008
There’s proof of Southern Nevada’s natural beauty in Sharon K. Schafer’s paintings, photographs, and sketches. Works by the Boulder City artist and naturalist are on display through June 1 at the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society in Las Vegas.
March/April 2008
Entertainer Terry Fator is one of the newest, and most unusual, showroom headliners in the Silver State. Last fall the Las Vegas Hilton valued the singer-impressionist-ventriloquist’s worth at $1.5 million by signing him to a contract that runs through May 18. That paycheck followed his $1 million win on the NBC reality show, America’s Got Talent.
March/April 2008
Let’s face it, not everyone has the time or patience to explore the Nevada outback in search of the Silver State’s interesting, but often elusive, fauna. In Las Vegas and Reno you can see critters a little closer to home.
March/April 2008
If you’re thirsty or hungry as you barrel along U.S. 95 between Beatty and Tonopah, there’s a new place in Goldfield to stop for refreshment. Ruth Andersen, a Beatty native, opened the Northern Saloon and Café in December after spending 10 months renovating the old Norm’s Place on Columbia Avenue, a block off the main drag through town.
March/April 2008
Recently added to the Nevada State Register of Historic Places by the Nevada Board of Museums and History, Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, 34 miles south of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and State Route 161, has survived as a popular stop for thirsty bikers, history buffs, and the occasional Hollywood film crew.
March/April 2008
Steve Boettcher’s Silver Springs church is unlike any you’ve ever seen. It lacks pews, prayer books, and walls. In their stead, horsepower, leather, and two wheels help Steve and his “Soul’d Out Ministries” spread the word. Now, with a little help from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Steve and his family can connect with more people in need of inspiration and guidance.