Web Extras
» Web Extras comstock christmas
November/December 2009
Christmas is special on the Comstock. The crisp mountain air sets the stage for a perfect holiday. Two decades ago, as a student intern pastor at First Presbyterian Church, I had the privilege to experience holiday magic in Virginia City.
» Web Extras nevada motocross park
September/October 2009
If there’s one recurring theme about motocross, it’s family—just ask Dave Richardson of Gardnerville. More than half of his 35 grandchildren ride. RVs are a common sight at dirt-bike tracks, as it’s common for entire families to camp out most weekends. On July 15, the Nevada Motocross Park in Gardnerville opened its gates to local racers, professional and amateur.
» Web Extras v&t railroad route reopens
September/October 2009
For the first time in more than 70 years, a steam train made its way between Carson City and Virginia City on the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad on the third weekend of August. The rumble of wheels—steel on steel, the melodic tempo of a train highballing down the track, the steam whistle cutting through the air—all signal the near completion of a project 17 years in the making.
» Web Extras bonanza friendship
September/October 2009
On September 10-14, South Lake Tahoe’s Bonanza Friendship Convention celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beloved show. The following was written after Wimsatt attended the 2002 Bonanza Friendship Convention, held in Crystal Bay.
» Web Extras disney’s the lion king
September/October 2009
One of my earliest childhood memories is from when I was eight years old, when I stayed home from school for the first time because I was sick. Before my mom left for work that day, she handed me a Sprite and a video of “The Lion King.” My sickness slipped my mind as I experienced one of the most magical and powerful cinematic experiences in my young life. Now 22, I recently had the chance to relive that experience, minus the sickness, on a stage at the Mandalay Bay Theatre in Las Vegas.
» Web Extras nevada’s goodwill moon rock
September/October 2009
Now attending the University of Phoenix and working on my second degree, I found myself with an interesting assignment—to look into a mystery that has gone unsolved for years: What happened to the Goodwill Moon Rocks that were gifts from the American government to each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and 135 other nations in 1973 and ’74? More precisely, what happened to Nevada’s Goodwill Moon Rock?
» Web Extras zowie bowie
July/August 2009
While other kids hung prints of Farrah Fawcett on their bedroom walls, Chris Phillips, aka Zowie Bowie, admired his Sammy Davis Jr. poster. That’s because since he was 12, he wanted to be a Las Vegas-style entertainer. Today, Phillips and his fiancé, Marley Taylor, and their band perform every Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. and midnight inside The Lounge at The Palms in Las Vegas.
» Web Extras pool parties
July/August 2009
After two successful years, Grand Sierra ended its partnership with Nikki Beach and opened a revamped nightlife pool venue, The Beach, on June 6. The Beach will continue to make waves all summer long with exhilarating events, celebrity guests, live music, world-famous DJs and dancing Friday and Saturday evenings. Following is a look at other new pools—or new pool offerings—in Reno and Las Vegas.
» Web Extras hot august nights
July/August 2009
We’re all familiar with the adage everything gets better with age—for Hot August Nights, the saying is doubly true. The Reno and Sparks celebration of classic cars and rock ’n’ roll is, quite literally, based on it. And the event’s growth from a concert and loosely organized parade in 1986 to a 10-day, multivenue festival 23 years later, exemplifies the saying.
» Web Extras rum runner run
July/August 2009
Few things in life compare to a warm summer day of boating with friends on Lake Tahoe. Add the lake’s signature frozen cocktail, the Rum Runner, and that day is about as close to perfect as it gets. Grab the SPF 35 and a designated driver (that’s right, drinking and driving is illegal on the water, too) and drop anchor at any or all of these four Rum Runner destinations.
» Web Extras henderson trails photo contest
July/August 2009
The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a trails photo contest through August 31. The contest illustrates and promotes the best aspects of the city’s trail system through the use of photographs and must feature a visible City of Henderson trail.
» Web Extras harrah’s hot rods
May/June 2009
When Bill Harrah passed away in 1978, he left no indication as to what should be done with his priceless autos, which once numbered more than 1,400. Now, a part of the casino patriarch’s legacy is preserved in downtown Reno at the National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection), which opened in 1989.
» Web Extras soaring nevada
May/June 2009
As the majestic peaks of the Carson Range drop out of view to our rear, my pilot, Jeffrey Hazlegrove of Soaring NV, asks if I’m ready for some tricks. I reply with an enthusiastic “Yes!,” and before I know it we’re upside down, 3,000 feet above the Carson Valley. Hazlegrove isn’t done yet. For the next 10 minutes he artfully maneuvers the glider through a series of loops, barrel rolls, and a couple moments of completely inverted flight.
» Web Extras a real cool time
May/June 2009
The Ramones played the Reno Livestock Events Center in 1978 during their Road to Ruin Tour. Local band Harbinger had been booked to open for the Ramones, and I had been drafted to serve as roadie.
» Web Extras papillon’s prize
May/June 2009
Papillon Helicopters and Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airlines, the largest premiere “flightseeing” companies in the world, unveiled their $9-million Boulder City Aerocenter on March 23. This marks the official debut of this ultramodern terminal that will house all of the Halvorsons’ Nevada operations under one roof, including Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airlines, and Canyon Flight Trading Company.
» Web Extras mobile nevada
May/June 2009
The Nevada Commission on Tourism has launched a new mobile Web site geared especially for mobile phones and devices that provides instant information about where to stay and what to do in Nevada cities.
» Web Extras comedy’s thinking man
March/April 2009
George Wallace is one of the lucky ones—he discovered his gift early. At the age of six he watched comedians like Moms Mabley and Red Buttons. Drawn to the laughter and emotion they elicited, he tested some material on his schoolmates, and a star was born.
» Web Extras death valley flower power
March/April 2009
Record rainfall may result in a stunning bloom for Death Valley National Park, on the California-Nevada border. To commemorate this anticipated wildflower bloom, Pink Jeep Tours is offering a special price of $209 for the Flower Power Trekker Tour. The special price will be available from March 1 through April 30. Guests will be taken via The Tour Trekker, Pink Jeep Tours’ high-end, spacious sightseeing vehicle. The tour will include a picnic lunch amongst the vast fields of flowers.
» Web Extras (virtual) wild west
March/April 2009
Members of the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office and Nevada Humanities’ Online Nevada Encyclopedia have forged a high-tech partnership, bringing 19th-century Nevada saloons to life with 21st-century technology. Ron James, Nevada state historic preservation officer, and Karen Wikander, managing editor of Online Nevada Encyclopedia, have announced the premiere of an online exhibition dealing with cutting-edge archaeology in Nevada’s Comstock Historic District.
» Web Extras northstar “news”
March/April 2009
The new Burton Snowboard Academy at Northstar-at-Tahoe is the first of its kind, not only in the Lake Tahoe area, but the world. This isn’t your typical beginner crash course in which newbies are struggling to carve or make a simple turn. The academy can help with that, of course, but even experts can learn a thing or two at the school, located at the top of the Northstar gondola (mid-mountain).
