Nevada Magazine

Sports Fuel Northern Nevada Economics

2012-01-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, January 25, I attended a breakfast meeting on Sports Economics hosted by the Northern Nevada Development Authority. Held at the Governor's Mansion in Carson City, guests packed the "Nevada Room" to hear five speakers discuss the economic impact of their respective pursuits on the Northern Nevada community.

In order, the speakers were Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki and Jon Killoran, who discussed the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition; Mike Samuels, who covered the Nevada Wolf Pack's eventual move to the Mountain West Conference; Michael Reynolds, who talked about the locally owned Reno Bighorns basketball team; John Kinkella, who gave an overview of Western Nevada College athletics; and, finally, Lisa Granahan, who gave a rundown of Ascent Douglas County.

Krolicki, Killoran, and the rest of RTWGC organization have been working hard to land a bid from the U.S. Olympic Committee to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Next summer (2013), the International Olympic Committee will call for bids from around the world. About a year after that (2014), the U.S. Olympic Committee will decide whether to bid at all, and, if it does, which city or region gets the bid. In July 2015, the International Olympic Committee will make the ultimate decision from a pool of cities and regions around the world.

In the video below, Krolicki elaborates on the timeline and the general excitement surrounding the possibility of the Reno-Lake Tahoe region hosting the '22 Winter Games.

For more information, including background on the 1960 Olympic Winter Games held at Squaw Valley, read this Nevada Magazine story titled "Then and If." Blogger Tiffany Brown does a great job of covering the RTWGC's marketing effort in this article. Finally, Killoran discusses more marketing logistics in this Reno-Tahoe American Marketing Association video.

Reynolds focused on the positives that a conference realignment will have on the University of Nevada, Reno. On July 1, 2012, the Nevada Wolf Pack will move from the Western Athletic Conference to the Mountain West Conference. Reynolds said the university is intent on "raising the bar" athletically, which will have a residual affect on the community and school. He added that the move will lead to building infrastructure and the creation of jobs.

The Reno Bighorns are a member of the NBA Development League, which was founded in 2001 with the goal of being the "minor league" of the NBA, similar to professional baseball's minor-league system. The Bighorns were founded in 2008 and are coming off a successful season, in which the team won the regular-season Western Conference championship and won a playoff series. A local ownership group recently purchased the franchise and have made that bond to the community a primary part of their marketing efforts.

Kinkella talked about how the intercollegiate athletics program was started at Western Nevada College in order to provide a model group to use as a positive example for the rest of the students. Mission accomplished: WNC is the only program in its conference to claim an Academic Team of the Year, which it's done seven times. This has led to successful scholarships and transfers for many athletes. The Wildcats baseball team has been to the NJCAA World Series twice in the past four years.

Granahan cited the successful local outdoor recreation and lifestyle industries, even in the recent economic downturn. Companies such as Aviso American Made, Bently Biofuels, and North Sails are leading this charge. The Ascent Douglas initiative is about targeting these types of industries, hopefully creating 700 jobs in Douglas County by 2022 — the same year we as a region will hopefully be hosting the Olympic Winter Games.—Matthew B. Brown, Nevada Magazine editor

Nevada Magazine explores Las Vegas’ cultural side

2012-01-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

Nevada Magazine’s January/February 2012 issue is available on newsstands throughout Nevada. Featured in the edition are multiple Southern Nevada museums, highlighted by the opening of The Mob Museum on February 14. Former Las Vegas defense attorney and mayor Oscar Goodman is one of four people interviewed who have strong connections to the new museum, which is housed in the city’s historic former federal building and post office on Stewart Avenue.

The new Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas at Springs Preserve leads off the issue’s other feature story (watch a video of Governor Sandoval's speech at the museum's November 12 opening below). Among the other museums covered are two additional state museums — the Lost City Museum in Overton and Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City — the National Atomic Testing Museum, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, and the Neon Museum.

Also featured in the issue are the Mizpah Hotel, which recently reopened in Tonopah, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, The Gun Store in Las Vegas, Reno-Sparks bakeries, and Reno’s CommRow, home to the world’s tallest artificial climbing wall. The issue also debuts new “Visions” (spotlighting outstanding photography) and “Nature” departments.

To view the digital editions of Nevada Magazine's sister publications, Las Vegas Events & Shows or Nevada Events & Shows, click here. If readers missed any of the magazine’s special Territory issues of 2011, they can view them here.

Goldfield's Combination Mine Headframe

2011-12-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

Members of the Goldfield Historical Society and others attended the dedication on Sunday, November 13.

The Goldfield Historical Society recently dedicated and placed a plaque on the headframe next to the Santa Fe Saloon and Motel. The plaque reads as follows:

Combination Mine Headframe   

An original headframe from the Combination Mine, on the Combination No. 1 claim, located  by Alva D. Myers and R.C. Hart on May 26, 1903. In 1989, it was moved to this location from approximately 1/4 mile east, in the Goldfield Mining District, by the Red Rock Mining Co.   

Gold was discovered approximately two miles north by Harry Stimler and William Marsh in December 1902. This created much excitement, and a rush to stake the first claims was on. In the summer of 1903, interest in the Grandpa District (later renamed Goldfield) was waning. However, some of the original prospectors and investors refused to give up, including Myers. Subsequently, in the fall of that year, his discovery at the Combination paid off and became one of the richest ore producers in the district.

The recorded production of gold from the Goldfield District for the period 1903-1960 was nearly 4.2 million ounces from about 7.7 million tons of ore. At least 98 percent of this was from an area less than a mile long and a few hundred feet wide, which included the Combination claims.

"It was a very nice ceremony, and I'm hoping the Goldfield Historical Society will be doing more of these in the future," said member Dominic Pappalardo.

Nevada Northern Railway offers photo scholarship

2011-12-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Photo: Matthew B. Brown

TRAINS Magazine and Ely's Nevada Northern Railway Museum are offering a special Steam, Steel, and Strobes Scholarship to attend the historic railroad’s annual Winter Steam Spectacular Photo Shoots. The free contest is open to anyone age 18-30. There are two opportunities available—February 3-5 and 10-12. An individual will be selected for both events.

The photographer selected will receive a Photo Shoot Scholarship and a $500 stipend, which can be used for travel to Ely. He or she will work with professional photographer Steve Crise during the February 2012 events.

To apply for the scholarship, applicants must e-mail a proposal of no more than 250 words along with three (3) low-resolution images to TRAINS Editor Jim Wrinn at editor@trainmag.com. Entries must be received by Dec 31, 2011.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is located roughly halfway between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Steve Crise: http://www.scrise.com
Nevada Northern Railway Museum: http://www.nnry.com
Trains Magazine: http://www.trains.com

McKeen Motor Car Nominated for National Historic Landmark Status

2011-11-10T21:13:00.001-08:00

Nevada's McKeen Motor Car served on the historic V&T Railway until 1945.

Ron James, chairman of the National Historic Landmarks Committee, announced today that the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City has been recommended for listing by his committee.

“If the nomination clears the remaining hurdles, this will be the first piece of railroad equipment to win an individual place in the list of National Historic Landmarks,” he said.

The National Landmarks Committee of the National Park System is meeting for three days in Washington, D.C. to deliberate on 15 properties. Recommended nominations will subsequently appear before the Advisory Board for the National Park System, which then recommends nominations for listing by the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. James also sits on the Advisory Board and serves as the state historic preservation officer for Nevada.

“I couldn’t be more delighted by the outcome of yesterday’s meeting,” said Peter Barton, the administrator for the Nevada Division of Museums and History. Barton appeared before the committee to present the nomination, which was drafted by Michael “Bert” Bedeau, district administrator of the Comstock Historic District Commission.

“Listing of the McKeen Car will boost our efforts to gain national recognition for this important resource,” Barton added. The McKeen Car was previously granted the lower level of recognition by being listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Other locomotives and rolling stock are listed as parts of districts. Seven other sites — including Virginia City and Hoover Dam — are listed in Nevada, and there are fewer than 2,500 landmarks listed nationwide.

The McKeen Motor Car is significant as a rare example of William McKeen’s effort to use internal combustion engines for rail travel, which previously had only used steam propulsion. McKeen also experimented with streamlining and use of lightweight metals for his motorized railcars. This resulted in lower capital and operating costs and had the effect of preserving passenger and express service on lightly-populated railroad branch lines across the United States.

Approximately 160 McKeen Motor Cars were built from 1905 to 1920. Nevada’s example of the McKeen Car served on the famed Virginia and Truckee Railway after the turn of the 20th century. Once retired in 1945, the vehicle was converted into restaurant and then retail space in Carson City. In 1995 it was donated to the Nevada State Railroad Museum, where staff spent years restoring the McKeen Car, the nation’s only survivor of its kind that is able to move under its own power.

“Nevadans should be proud of this rare artifact and of the exemplary efforts of the talented staff at the Nevada State Railroad Museum,” James said. “With this first level of approval, I am hopeful that listing can occur in 2012.”

Read about Nevada train attractions here. View and download images of the McKeen Car here.

Nevada Magazine Highlights Reno-Tahoe Territory

2011-10-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Photo: Chris Talbot

Nevada Magazine’s November/December 2011 issue — the Reno-Tahoe Territory Special Edition — will be available soon on newsstands throughout Nevada. In it are a feature on Lake Tahoe ski resorts and a roundup of northwestern Nevada cities and towns, including Carson City, Reno, and Virginia City.

Also highlighted are Reno-Tahoe Territory’s lakes and parks, the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, noteworthy events in the territory, and a history story titled “The Six-Week Cure,” about Reno’s liberal divorce laws in the 1930s and the effect they had on the city.

The issue concludes Nevada Magazine’s 75th-anniversary year. To celebrate the milestone, the magazine covered Nevada’s six tourism “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Pony Express Territory, Cowboy Country, Indian Territory, Nevada Silver Trails, and, finally, Reno-Tahoe Territory. Read all the Territory issues here.

Nevada enthusiasts can package the six special Territory issues with other great Nevada Magazine products such as the 75th-Anniversary Edition and 2012 Nevada Historical Calendar. The magazine is offering a number of great holiday gifts, such as the Nevada Lover's Package. Find out more at nevadamagazine.com, or by calling 775-687-0603.

Great Basin National Park Celebrates 25 Years

2011-10-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

Great Basin National Park's Lehman Caves.

Superintendent Andy Ferguson welcomes visitors to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center Thursday, October 27 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the park’s establishment in 1986. During the all-day open house there will be special displays. Light refreshments will be served at 10 a.m.

Due to this special occasion, Ferguson will suspend collection of cave-tour and camping fees for the day. There are four scheduled tours of Lehman Caves at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. There are 20 spaces per tour. Advance ticket sales (no fee) will be taken until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26. You can also call 775-234-7331 (ext. 242) to request an advance ticket. If there are any spaces remaining, they will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at 8 a.m. on Thursday. Campground fees will also be suspended for the night of October 27.

Nevada Magazine's June 1987 cover,
featuring Great Basin National Park.

The Western National Parks Association Bookstore at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center will offer a 15% discount on all products including cards, maps, books, and games.

On behalf of Great Basin National Park, Ferguson expressed his appreciation for all of the support and goodwill that has been shown over the past 25 years. He hopes to be an even better neighbor in the years to come.

View more photos from Great Basin National Park here. Read more about Great Basin National Park and Pony Express Territory's other parks here.

Nevada Magazine’s 2012 Historical Calendar Now Available

2011-10-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

Early 1900s Lake Tahoe is featured on the cover of the 2012 calendar, which also includes black-and-white images from Carson City, Las Vegas, and Reno.

The 2012 Nevada Historical Calendar, produced by Nevada Magazine, is now available for purchase. For 40 years, Nevada residents and enthusiasts have enjoyed the award-winning wall calendar full of black-and-white photographs from years gone by. It also makes for a great holiday gift.

Each calendar is $12.99 plus $4 shipping and handling. To order, visit nevadamagazine.com, or contact Publisher Janet Geary at 775-687-0603 or jmgeary@nevadamagazine.com.

Nevada state employees can get the calendar for a special price of $10 each by contacting Pati Stefonowicz at 775-687-0633 or pati@nevadamagazine.com.

Also available are a number of exciting subscription offers, such as the Nevada Lover's Package, which make great holiday gifts as well. The Nevada Lover's Package includes the 2012 Nevada Historical Calendar, the 191-page 75th-Anniversary Edition, six 2011 issues dedicated to Nevada's Territories, and a one-year (six issues) subscription.

To learn about the the many combo offers available, visit nevadamagazine.com, or call Geary at 775-687-0603.

Nevada Press Association Honors Nevada Magazine

2011-10-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Left to Right: Melissa Loomis, Carrie Roussel, Matthew B. Brown, Janet Geary, Tony deRonnebeck. Not Pictured: Charlie Johnston, Sean Nebeker, Pati Stefonowicz

Nevada Magazine won First Place-General Excellence, and Editor Matthew B. Brown was named Outstanding Journalist, among other accolades, in the Magazines category of the 2011 Nevada Press Association awards. Plaques and certificates were distributed at a ceremony at the historic Piper's Opera House in Virginia City on Saturday, October 15.

Among Nevada Magazine's other distinguished honors are:

• Advertising General Excellence

• Best Page Designer(s)
First Place: Tony deRonnebeck
Third Place: Sean Nebeker

• Best Entertainment Writing
First Place: Charlie Johnston

• Best Regular Department
First Place: “History”

• Best-In House Promotion
First Place: Sean Nebeker, “We're Traveling Nevada”

• Best Multiple Photo Essay
First Place: Tony deRonnebeck (designer) and various photographers, “Wildflowers of Nevada”

• Best Feature Story
Second Place: Charlie Johnston, “Tales From Las Vegas”

• Best Illustrated Photo
First Place: Steve Woodbury (Nevada Commission on Tourism), “Rhyolite”

• Best Feature Photo
First Place: Rachid Dahnoun (freelancer), “Pyramid Lake”

A complete list of 2011 Nevada Press Association award winners can be found here. Nevada Magazine also won First Place-General Excellence in 2009, the first year the Nevada Press Association added magazines to its annual awards competition.

"This is especially rewarding during our 75th-anniversary year," says Publisher Janet Geary. "We are extremely honored to be recognized by our peers in the journalism industry."

Sandoval Declares October Nevada History Month

2011-10-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

Governor Brian Sandoval signed a proclamation on September 30 declaring October Nevada History Month. Sandoval selected the month of October because Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864.

“Nevada is a state with a rich history, borne of different Nevadans' experiences,” Sandoval says. “Visiting a museum, a park, or reading a history book during this month can help Nevadans better understand their own families’ history. History helps us understand all that we are today.”

During history month, Sandoval will be tweeting historic trivia every day from his twitter account @GovSandoval using the #nvhistmo hashtag.

Kicking off historic trivia, on September 30 in Nevada history in 1935, Hoover Dam was dedicated. To learn more about the Dam, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Reclamation has put together a classroom lesson plan on the Dam. It can be found here: “The Greatest Dam in the World”: Building Hoover Dam.

To read more about Nevada history, visit nevadamagazine.com. Also, visit the Nevada state museums or parks websites. Much of Nevada’s history can be discovered at Online Nevada Encyclopedia as well.

Touring the Nevada Test Site

2011-09-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

DOE helicopters fly radiation-monitoring personnel and photographers over Yucca Flat during tests. Yucca Flat is dotted with more than 200 subsidence craters from underground explosions.

By David Lusvardi

Who knew that you could find a broken-up Delta Airlines fuselage in the middle of the Nevada National Security Site (formerly the Nevada Test Site)? Or a house that has withstood an atomic blast? What about a bridge section that looks like a bent-up piece of Chicago’s “L” Train?

Just an hour north of Las Vegas lies the Nevada National Security Site, a restricted area of government land that is rich in history, and even richer in legend. What really went on there, and what are they doing there now? Amazingly enough, you can find out for yourself. The U.S. Department of Energy offers free monthly tours of the famous site. You need to sign up months in advance, however (the next available tour is April 24, 2012). Also, prospective visitors need to provide personal information in advance for clearance to tour the site.

Within the restricted area, visitors will be entertained by signs such as:
• Caution: Underground Radioactive Material
• Controlled Area (on smaller roads that fork off from the main road)
• Caution: Radioactive Material
• Radioactive Area, Digging Prohibited

In one area, where they used to test nuclear bombs, they built elevated railroad sections, similar to Chicago’s “L” train. You can see how the historic blast bent the steel and pulled out the rivets from the sections. Nearby is evidence of the aluminum and steel test domes that were warped and wrinkled like paper or foil. Other structures of brick, wood, and earth demonstrate their various abilities or inabilities to withstand a nuclear explosion.

In a different section, houses were built, stocked with mannequins, furniture, and food to test the effects of atomic tests. Cars, airplanes, railroads, and different types of buildings were constructed to see how they would hold up.

The trenches are still there, from which some of the military observed the blasts. So is News Nob, where reporters could watch the happenings.

The largest cratering shot in the Plowshare Program, Sedan Crater, was fired at the Nevada Test Site on July 6, 1962.

An interesting site is the massive Sedan Crater, blown out on July 6, 1962. This was to demonstrate the potential of Nuclear Excavation, which could save time on major building projects. The explosion displaced 6.5 million cubic yards of earth. That number may not mean much to most people, but the 1,280-foot diameter crater can be seen from earth orbit. Speaking of orbit, in 1970, NASA astronauts trained at the site to take advantage of the virtual lunar landscape.

A different section of the NNSS, Frenchman Flats, houses a low-level radioactive waste facility. Although we hear about these on television, most people do not see them. There are a number of large fields that look like man-made mesas which are 8 to 12 feet above ground. Each is a finished “cell.” A cell is a big, flat-bottomed pit that is dug into the ground into which large metal containers are stacked neatly and organized by size.

The large metal containers, which look similar to dumpsters, contain waste that is shipped in from all over the country. Most of the waste inside is concrete, debris, or soil. A typical cell is 25 feet deep. When the cell is full, it is covered over with dirt to bury the waste. The cell may be finished, but it is constantly monitored for alpha, beta, and gamma rays, as well as temperature and moisture, to make sure it does not pollute the ground water or atmosphere. Last year, there were 3 million cubic feet of nuclear waste received; this year a total of 1.8 million is anticipated.

The majority of the NNSS is surrounded by the Nevada Test and Training Range (U.S. Air Force). Three sides of the site are adjacent to Air Force-held land. The bottom section of the site is adjacent to Bureau of Land Management lands.

Other places within the site include the cement plant, where they manufacture all of their own cement, and an epoxy plant, where they make the material to plug the holes after testing. There is also a Homeland Security Research and Development facility to develop new equipment and another area to train fire, police, and other first responders in the event of a radioactive emergency.

Much of the rest of the vast site is mountains and valleys with sporadic mounds of dirt, pipes and tubes sticking out of the ground, locked shacks, warning signs, and Joshua trees.

To make plans for your own tour of the Nevada Test Site, click here.

To see more photos from the test site, click here.

Read about the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas here.

Photos courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration/Nevada Site Office

Nevada Magazine hosts IRMA conference in Reno

2011-09-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

Nevada Magazine, the official state tourism publication, will host the International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) conference September 9-12 at Reno’s Peppermill Resort Spa Casino.

IRMA’s 51st annual conference will bring together regional publications from Canada and the United States to The Biggest Little City in the World. “One very productive aspect of the IRMA conferences is the informal sharing of information, everything from contributors’ fees to good advertising strategies,” says Elizabeth Folwell, creative director for Adirondack Life, based in upstate New York. “Questions come up outside the formal presentations in the spirit of working together.”

In addition to their time spent in Reno, some of the more than 70 conference attendees will tour South Lake Tahoe the afternoon of September 9, and all the conference guests will spend the evening of September 12 riding the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, followed by dinner, in historic Virginia City. Reno’s Siena Hotel Spa Casino will host a reception and dinner as well on September 11.

On Saturday, Susan Breidenbach, social media specialist at Reno’s ProNet, will present at the conference, followed by Alan Deutschman, professor and Reynolds Chair of Business Journalism at University of Nevada, Reno. Other General Session speakers during the conference include Beth Roy and Eileen White of Iowa fulfillment company CDS Global and Toronto-based editor and consultant Kim Pittaway.

A complete conference agenda can be found here.

“The fact that we’re hosting this conference during our 75th-anniversary year makes it extra special,” says Nevada Magazine Publisher Janet Geary. “We are excited to not only reconnect with our partners in the magazine industry, but also to introduce the Reno-Tahoe area to out-of-towners.”

Hamilton's Aviation Tour Lands in Reno

2011-08-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hamilton has been timing the skies since 1919, providing pilots with precision-crafted navigation instruments.

Paying tribute to almost a century of proven aviation heritage, Hamilton is launching a Fall Aviation Tour of the United States, in which it will send its new Hamilton-branded VOTEC 221 Mock-Up airplane to multiple cities around the country for plane and watch enthusiasts to enjoy.

The plane’s first stop will be in Reno, where it will remain on display for 30 days at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. In October, the plane heads to Greensboro, NC, where it will be stationed at Fink’s for several weeks. Later, the plane will make its journey to Los Angeles for a month-long visit, making stops at two different retail locations. Its final destination will be Chicago, where it will land at Abt Electronics and remain grounded for close to a month.

Painted in Hamilton’s signature orange and black, the VOTEC 221 Mock-Up is Swiss-made and was built using components certified for aircraft construction. It has a Wingspan of 20.7 feet and is more than 19.5 feet long. It is approximately 5.25 feet high and weighs around 1,000 pounds.

To learn more about Hamilton’s complete line of timepieces, visit hamiltonwatch.com.

Las Vegas resident wins Nevada Magazine’s 2011 Photo Contest

2011-08-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

The winning image, titled “Night Sky Over Ward Charcoal Ovens,” was taken at
eastern Nevada’s Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. Photo: Thomas McEwan

Thomas McEwan, who captured a starry night at eastern Nevada’s Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, is the Grand Prize winner of Nevada Magazine’s 34th annual Great Nevada Picture Hunt photo contest—the feature story in the publication’s September/October issue.

The winning image, titled “Night Sky Over Ward Charcoal Ovens” and shown above, was stitched together from six 75-second exposure frames and is a tribute to Nevada’s astronomical appeal. “You would think it would be jet black at night, but the starlight was so bright, I was able to work without a flashlight,” says McEwan, from Las Vegas.

In addition to the Grand Prize, photographers were judged in six categories: Las Vegas Territory, Pony Express Territory, Cowboy Country, Indian Territory, Nevada Silver Trails, and Reno-Tahoe Territory (see map here). The Nevada Commission on Tourism has split the state into these six “territories” for marketing purposes.

All the 2011 category winners and runners-up are Nevada residents, including Reno’s Sally Hanrahan, who won the Indian Territory and Reno-Tahoe Territory categories. Hanrahan’s winning photos are of Pyramid Lake and Lake Tahoe, respectively.

Nevada Magazine’s
September/October 2011 issue.
Photo: Dave Harrison

The other territory winners are as follows: Kurt Kuznicki of Reno for “Joshua Trees”; Robert Rollins of Reno for “Fort Churchill”; Roy O’Brien of Gardnerville for “Autumn Morning” taken in Lamoille Canyon; and Brian Beffort of Reno for “Wilderness Whitewater” snapped near Mount Grafton.

Like Hanrahan, Spring Creek’s Jodi Esplin is also a dual honoree, taking Runner-Up in the Cowboy Country category and Third Place in the contest’s seventh category, “Then & Now,” in which photographers were asked to re-create former Nevada Highways and Parks or Nevada Magazine cover images.

The winner of Then & Now, Dawn Andone of Panaca, was rewarded for her modern-day photo of Cathedral Gorge State Park, a re-creation of a March 1937 cover of Nevada Highways and Parks.

To view the winning images, pick up the latest issue at national bookstores and where magazines are sold in Nevada, or visit nevadamagazine.com. Look for an ad in a future 2012 issue covering rules of submission for the 2012 contest, or check back regularly at nevadamagazine.com.

Nevada Magazine celebrates Nevada Silver Trails

The remainder of the September/October 2011 issue honors Nevada’s second-largest territory, Nevada Silver Trails. In it are features on Silver Trails parks and recreation—including Death Valley National Park and Lincoln County’s five state parks—and a roundup of 17 south-central towns.

Also highlighted are Yerington’s Jeanne Dini Cultural Center, Death Valley Junction’s Amargosa Opera House, off-the-beaten-path destinations, noteworthy events, and a history story titled “Gold Finds Make Nevada History,” an excerpt from Nevada Magazine’s 75th-Anniversary Edition and the July 1936 issue of Nevada Highways and Parks.

As part of its 75th anniversary, the magazine is highlighting Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Pony Express Territory, Cowboy Country, Indian Territory, Nevada Silver Trails, and Reno-Tahoe Territory. The November/December 2011 issue will cover Reno-Tahoe Territory.

Nevada Magazine welcomes Southern Nevada Sales Manager

2011-08-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Nevada’s official tourism publication is proud to add a new member to its sales team: Jan Johnson of Las Vegas. Johnson brings a wealth of experience in the publishing business to her new role as Nevada Magazine’s Southern Nevada Sales Manager, and her main initiative will be to sell advertising in the state agency’s sister publication, Las Vegas Events & Shows.

As secretary of the Las Vegas Territory and treasurer of the board of the Destination Services Association, Johnson is well connected in Southern Nevada. She will team with Director of Advertising Carrie Roussel, who is based in Carson City.

In the past, Johnson has worked for a Los Angeles-based publisher and was the publisher for the New York Convention Bureau for many years. Her more than 10 years in Nevada’s largest city has included stints as media manager for Westgate Resorts — the mastermind behind I Love Las Vegas magazine — and associate publisher for Bosley Publishing of Today in Las Vegas magazine.

“We’re very happy to have someone with Jan’s experience and tourism knowledge representing us in Southern Nevada,” Nevada Magazine publisher Janet Geary says of Johnson, who can be reached at 702-835-3270 or jwjohnsonlv@aol.com.

Nevada Magazine, which also produces Nevada Events & Shows, has won the Advertising General Excellence award from the Nevada Press Association three years running.

Travelodge Chips Unearthed in Carson City

2011-08-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of Sheldon Smith

By Sheldon Smith

Mike Olson was driving home from work and stopped at the local AM/PM next to the closed Ormsby House casino to grab a soda. He noticed a couple of grown men playing in a sand pile behind the store. Olson got out of his car and walked over to the pile and asked what was going on…then he saw them, CHIPS…many, many CHIPS!

That prompted Olson to call his good and knowledgeable friend Doug Johnson, a veteran chip collector and member of the Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club (CC&GTCC). Johnson hopped in his truck and drove to the pile of sand and looked in among the diggers, some from as far away as Salt Lake City, and began digging himself. The chips were from a casino in Carson City named Travelodge Hotel, which was in business only a year before shutting its doors in 1979. Doug thought, how could these chips be here?

The Nevada Gaming Commission regulations regarding closed or changed-hands casinos are very clear—the chips are to be destroyed. Well, apparently back in the early ’80s when these chips were to be destroyed, the concept was a little looser. They were buried!

The story gets even more interesting. Chip-collector records indicate that there were only $5 chips known from the Travelodge, and, yet, in the dig were $5, $25, and $100 chips.

The sand pile was on private property, and, lo and behold, Al Fiegehen, who owns the AM/PM lot, talked to Johnson and said he didn’t want anything to do with the chips—but that he would permit the dig. Fiegehen, the principal owner of the Cubix Corporation in Carson City, is also the owner of a gaming license for the Ormsby Hotel, planned to reopen some time in the future.

Records indicate the Travelodge was only open for about a year. According to Roger Baugh, a longtime Carson resident, it became the Mother Lode after that. Baugh claims Senator Paul Laxalt owned the Travelodge and Mother Lode at one time.

But back to the chips! They are currently on eBay without any indication of the vast quantities that have been uncovered. Wanting to get the word out on the find, Johnson created his own eBay listing: “Huge hoard of chips found this week! Possibly 20,000 chips found! First picture shows what a little cleaning can do.”

Note: Nevada Magazine claims no factual responsibility for the information presented in this blog.

The Travelodge was open for business from 1978 to '79.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

2011-08-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

Crystal Spring, courtesy of Judy Palmer, Amargosa Conservancy

By Cyndi Souza

Located in the middle of nowhere, according to our visitors, is a place like no other in the world. Literally. In an area smaller than Disney World there are at least 26 species of plants and animals that exist here and no place else on earth. In Caribbean-blue spring pools, you will find desert fish that have survived here for thousands of years, more than 250 species of birds, and unique plants. It is Nevada’s best-kept secret. Never heard of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge? We know. We hear that all the time.

As you leave the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, the landscape immediately becomes a dry, harsh, vast, and sparsely populated desert straight out of a Stephen King novel. Not a place where you expect to see rare flowers, tundra swans, and water that is thousands of years old and referred to as "fossil water." That is why most folks drive right on by on their way to bigger and better things (or so they think).

The beauty and serenity found in this oasis, the largest in the Mojave Desert, is an unexpected surprise to all who visit. Sit a while and listen to the melodic calls of birds, linger over crystal-clear waters filled with iridescent blue fish, or scan the rocky mountain tops for desert bighorn sheep. If you are more the scientific type, there is much to ponder here as well.

Devils Hole. The name itself creates a certain curiosity. To the casual observer it looks like just a water-filled hole. The surface is small, only about 66 feet long by 15 feet wide. But what you don’t know is this 93-degree year-round pool of water is at least 500 feet deep, and the bottom has yet to be found. But what visitors find most fascinating is that earthquakes occurring around the world affect the water in Devils Hole. Just 20 minutes after the recent earthquake in Japan the water began rising and falling, six inches up then six inches down from its normal level. In 2010, the 7.2 earthquake in Baja created a mini tsunami and was actually captured on video.

If history is your thing, there is Jack Longstreet, a local gunslinger whose cabin built from stones awaits you. The nearby spring pool is often called the boiling spring because of the fine white sand bellowing up from the depths below.

Fall colors, photo by Cyndi Souza

Restoration, recovery, those lost forever, and the future

The refuge land, prior to 1984, was privately held. It was utilized for farming, ranching, peat mining, and almost became a housing development. This most likely led to the extinction of the Ash Meadows poolfish and possibly the Ash Meadows Montane Vole.

Reestablishing a healthy ecosystem and historic populations of native species has been challenging, but a proactive restoration program is achieving success. Today, not only have the desert fish of Ash Meadows benefited from restoration efforts, but many native plants and trees are beginning to flourish.

The area also is frequented by a wide diversity of migratory birds, so you might even see tundra swans or rare European migrants like ruff, unusual sightings in the Mojave Desert. More than 239 different species of birds have been recorded in Ash Meadows, in addition to 27 species of mammals, more than 20 species of reptiles, five amphibian species, and greater than 330 species of flowers and shrubs.

In 2009, two new species of bees were discovered that may only exist in Ash Meadows. One can only surmise the fate of this species and many others, if conservation efforts to protect endangered species had not been successful.

See more photos of the refuge here.

Nevada Magazine’s current issue celebrates American Indians

2011-06-22T13:40:00.000-07:00


Photo: Charlie Johnston

Nevada Magazine’s July/August 2011 issue is available on newsstands throughout Nevada. The Indian Territory Special Edition highlights the state’s 27 federally recognized tribes and the colonies, reservations, and towns they call home.

Included in the issue is a feature on American Indians in Nevada who are working diligently to keep their native traditions — such as ancient hunting techniques and centuries-old languages — alive. A piece on rock art, technically known as petroglyphs and pictographs, explores the significance of these ancient markings and where in the state they can be viewed.

The issue also contains a special yearlong Indian events listing and a story about the beautiful and inspirational native celebrations called powwows, or fandangos. Finally, the issue looks back on the life of famous historical figure Sarah Winnemucca, and additional stories — including fishing at Pyramid Lake and Fernley’s Wigwam Native American Museum — can be found online at nevadamagazine.com.

As part of its 75th anniversary, the magazine is highlighting Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Pony Express Territory, Cowboy Country, Indian Territory, Nevada Silver Trails, and Reno-Tahoe Territory. The September/October 2011 issue will cover Nevada Silver Trails, which spans central and southern Nevada north of Las Vegas.

Nevada Magazine announces 2011 Best of Nevada winners

Also in the July/August 2011 edition, the winners of the 14th Annual Best of Nevada readers’ survey are revealed. From Brewery to Wedding Venue, the anticipated annual listing includes 16 categories. In most cases, the winners are divided into North, South, and Rural, giving tourists plenty of statewide vacation ideas. The list of winners can also be found online at nevadamagazine.com.

FOLIO: Honors Nevada Magazine Editor

2011-05-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

Matthew B. Brown, editor of Nevada Magazine, has been named to FOLIO: Magazine’s 2011 FOLIO: 40, the company’s yearly “list of some of the most distinguished magazine and media professionals from every corner of our industry.”

Brown, in his fourth year as editor of Nevada’s official tourism publication, is featured in the April 2011 edition of FOLIO: and on foliomag.com. The 29-year-old guides the production of the bimonthly publication, but his prowess for marketing Nevada Magazine via social media, e-newsletters, and nevadamagazine.com garnered special attention from FOLIO:.

“I think the modern editor has to operate in multiple dimensions today — and that’s posting an amazing picture on Flickr from an upcoming article, or an informative posting on Twitter or Facebook to drive traffic to your website, and then making your website look and read as well as your print magazine does,” Brown says in the FOLIO: 40 article.

Nevada Magazine is a division of the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT).

“Nevada Magazine plays an important role in our tourism marketing efforts, and Matt has done a great job as its editor,” says Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki, chair of NCOT. “Matt’s focus on social media has ensured that the magazine utilizes current trends effectively and reaches an even greater audience.”

“It is gratifying to see the dedication and talent of Matt Brown recognized on a national level,” says Larry Friedman, interim director of NCOT. “He makes Nevada Magazine and Nevada proud.”

Since Brown took over as editor, nevadamagazine.com has won two national awards, including a National Headliner Award in 2008. The print magazine received a General Excellence award from the Nevada Press Association in 2009, and the same organization recognized Brown individually with Best Local Column and Best Feature Story awards in 2010.

Brown, whose photographs appear regularly in the magazine and on nevadamagazine.com, started and manages all of Nevada Magazine’s social websites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. He travels the state extensively, researching, photographing, and taking video for upcoming stories.

Before joining Nevada Magazine as associate editor in 2006, Brown worked as the sports and outdoors editor at the Sierra Sun newspaper in Truckee, Calif., and as a sports copy editor and reporter for the Reno Gazette-Journal. He graduated in 2003 from California State University, Chico with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and currently lives in Reno with his wife and 1-year-old son.

Read the FOLIO article about Brown here.

Nevada Magazine announces 2011 photo contest

2011-04-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

For more than three decades, Nevada Magazine’s Great Nevada Picture Hunt photo contest has been a favorite among photographers and readers. The Grand Prize winner of this year’s contest will receive $250 and a tour courtesy of Wild Horses of Nevada Photography out of Dayton.

New to this year’s contest, six “Territory” category winners will each receive $100. Also new is the “Then and Now” category, which asks photographers to re-create past Nevada Magazine and Nevada Highways and Parks cover images. All the cover images, dating to 1936, are available at Nevada Magazine’s Flickr profile. The winner of the Then and Now category will receive $150.

The 2011 Great Nevada Picture Hunt is open to all photographers. Send photo submissions, preferably via e-mail, to tony@nevadamagazine.com by 5 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, June 24, 2011. If you need to mail your images, call 775-687-0606 for instructions. To view past photo contest winners, or for more contest details, click here.

In Nevada Magazine’s May/June 2011 issue

Nevada Magazine’s May/June 2011 issue — the Cowboy Country Territory Special Edition — is now available on newsstands throughout Nevada. In it is a feature on Nevada’s western culture and a roundup of Northern Nevada towns. Also highlighted are Northern Nevada’s parks and recreation areas, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and noteworthy events and a history story titled “The Sheepmen,” which is an excerpt from Robert Laxalt’s book, Nevada: A History.

As part of its 75th anniversary, the magazine is highlighting Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Reno-Tahoe Territory, Pony Express Territory, Indian Territory, Cowboy Country, and Nevada Silver Trails. The upcoming July/August 2011 issue will cover Nevada’s statewide Indian Territory.

Las Vegas' Hidden Gems

2011-04-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

With more than 37 million visitors traveling to Las Vegas annually, Sin City continues to be one of the most desirable getaways in the country. While uncovering the latest trendsetting spots can be easily accomplished, finding the true hidden gems can be hard to come by. From tucked-away lounges to complimentary experiences to brag about, below are some little-known treasures discerning guests will be glad they discovered.

Pianist to the Presidents at Bellagio
Indulge in a splendid evening at Bellagio’s Petrossian Bar with live music from the pianist to Presidents of the United States. David Osborn has performed at the White House for many politicians including Presidents Carter, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama. Guests at Petrossian Bar can relax on one of the velvet couches overlooking the casino while enjoying beautiful music played by Osborn on the one-of-a-kind Steinway Grand. Osborn plays evenings Thursday-Sunday at the elegant lounge that gently sets the mood for sophisticated tastes and discerning palates. Talk about a hidden gem.

Wind Down at the Cigar & Cognac Lounge
Upstairs from Andre's Restaurant inside Monte Carlo is the warm and welcoming Cigar & Cognac Lounge, a world of intimacy where guests can settle in by the fire with a drink and enjoy the seductive aroma of fine cigars. For the ultimate experience, let experts recommend a professional cognac and cigar pairing. It's the perfect way to cap off a dinner at Andre's, a show in the Monte Carlo Theatre or to simply wind down before turning in for the evening.

Complimentary Art Tours at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
Las Vegas' premier fine art exhibition venue, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, offers daily docent tours beginning promptly at 2 p.m. Each tour is complimentary with the purchase of admission. The 45-minute tour takes guests through exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and works on paper by the world's most influential artists. These museum-caliber displays offer visitors a rare opportunity to view legendary works of art carefully selected from prestigious international collections.

Wine Tasting on the House at Onda
Onda Wine Lounge at The Mirage is an Italian-inspired lounge where guests can enjoy a selection of wines available to taste by purchasing a tasting flight or individually. Every Friday afternoon, the lounge offers free wine tastings to guests. A selection of artisan cheeses and meats is also offered. All wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle and also by the case which can be shipped to an address of choice.

Gaming in Style on the Beach
Directly on the sand and just feet from the crashing waves, the three-story, climate-controlled, glass-fronted Beachside Casino at Mandalay Bay offers fabulous amenities for guests. At the top sits the Villas Soleil with spectacular views of the entire Mandalay Bay Beach. Ranging in size from 250 to 500 square feet, these five villas are unlike any standard cabana in Las Vegas. Each of the contemporarily designed villas accommodates up to 16 guests and comes with cabana service and access to the private third-level pool. Each features cozy modular seating and day beds in crisp colors, a restroom, wet bar, 50-inch flat-screen television, MP3 player, safe, ceiling fan and a private deck overlooking The Beach.

Swan-side Dining at Swan Court at Aureole
The exclusive Swan Court at Aureole offers private outdoor dining next to a lagoon where beautiful white swans glide gracefully. Guests can enjoy a menu of seasonal dishes including artisan dry-aged beef and fresh seafood that reflect Chef Charlie Palmer’s signature progressive American cuisine. Along with dinner, rare wines from around the world can be sampled. Aureole’s visual trademark is a four-story wine tower with its very own Wine Angel Stewards, who stylishly ascend the tower to retrieve bottles.

Vote in Nevada Magazine’s Best of Nevada readers’ poll

2011-02-28T09:32:00.000-08:00

Nevada Magazine’s annual Best of Nevada readers’ poll is now available online at nevadamagazine.com. The 14th annual poll allows readers to weigh in on categories ranging from Best Casino, Restaurant, and Show to Best Place to Take the Kids.

Results will be published in the July/August 2011 issue and on nevadamagazine.com in mid-June. “We encourage everyone to go to our website and vote for their favorites, in Las Vegas, Reno, and our small towns and rural areas,” says Publisher Janet Geary.

To vote, visit the nevadamagazine.com homepage and click on the Best of Nevada 2011 link. You do not need to fill out all the categories to submit your survey. However, two lucky voters who complete their ballots will win a complimentary Nevada-themed book package and first-season “Bonanza” DVD set. Voting ends on Friday, April 15.

The 2008 through 2010 Best of Nevada winners can be viewed at nevadamagazine.com.

In Nevada Magazine’s March/April 2011 issue

Nevada Magazine’s March/April issue — the Pony Express Territory Special Edition — is now available on newsstands throughout Nevada. In it are features on “The Loneliest Road in America” (U.S. Highway 50) and a roundup of central Nevada towns. Also highlighted are central Nevada’s parks and recreation areas, off-the-beaten-path destinations, noteworthy events, and a history story about Kennecott Copper Corporation, which was headquartered in McGill for many years.

As part of its 75th anniversary, the magazine is highlighting Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Reno-Tahoe Territory, Pony Express Territory, Indian Territory, Cowboy Country, and Nevada Silver Trails. The May/June 2011 issue will cover Northern Nevada’s Cowboy Country.

March/April 2011 cover image by Mike Sevon.

2011 Photo Contest

For complete Great Nevada Picture Hunt submission rules, click here.

Northwest Territorial Mint

2011-02-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

After crossing the finish line of a marathon or other distance race, participants are bestowed a medal to commemorate their achievement—a symbol of the journey they made to reach the finish line. Although few runners consider it, those shiny pieces of metal underwent quite the journey to reach the finish line as well.

Many such medals and numerous other commemorative and honorary medallions start their journeys at Medallic Art Company and Northwest Territorial Mint in Dayton, the largest private mint in the country. A marathoner myself, I never considered the journey these baubles made to reach me; that is, until I had the chance to tour the mint recently.

Medallions, medals, coins, and the like start as ideas, which can vary from concepts, photos, and rough sketches to finished artwork. Medallic’s in-house artists take clients’ concepts and adapt them to work on the faces of a product.

First, a plaster model roughly three to four times the size of the finished product is made. From that an inverse of the model, called a die shell, is created. Die shells, which are still three to four times larger than the final medallion or coin, are then put onto special machines that reduce their size to create a die used to press the actual product. Coin and medallion blanks—such as the silver ones that are melted, poured, and formed onsite—are then pressed into form with up to 600 tons of pressure. Depending on their design, some coins and medallions have to be pressed, heated, and pressed again up to 12 times.

Some products are ready to be sent to the customer after the pressing is done, but for many, a series of treatments stand between them and their eager recipients. To give a medal or coin the appearance of higher relief, it is tarnished and then polished, leaving dark stain in the recesses while the raised parts are brought to a glossy shine. This process involves sandblasting, chemical baths, and detailed hand polishing. Although this is the final step for many of Medallic’s products, some receive a final treatment with the application of detailed colored enamels, all hand-painted by expert artists.

Born in the early 1900s in New York City, Medallic Art Company owes it existence to brothers Henri and Felix Weil and the reduction machine they brought from their native France. At the time, metal ornaments in the U.S. were typically cast (the earliest incarnation of Medallic was concerned primarily with creating trinkets to accent ladies’ purses), a process that did not lend itself to great detail in the art.

It was not until 1907 that the company made its first foray into medallions when the company was commissioned to create a medallion commemorating the centennial of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s birth.

The company would continue to grow in business and reputation through several moves and changes in ownership—including a merger with the Northwest Territorial Mint—until July 2009 when it moved to Dayton. Today, Medallic is Dayton’s largest private employer with more than 150 people on the payroll and room to grow.

Story by Charlie Johnston
Photos by Matthew B. Brown (see more photos here).

Nevada Magazine’s 75th-Anniversary Edition Now Available

2010-12-21T08:41:00.000-08:00

In January 1936, the state highway department introduced Nevada Highways and Parks — known today as Nevada Magazine. In 2011, the state’s official tourism publication celebrates its 75th anniversary. To honor the milestone, the magazine has produced a 192-page special edition, now available for purchase.

Subscribers, history buffs, and general Nevada enthusiasts can order the 75th-Anniversary Edition now at nevadamagazine.com, or, for faster response, by calling 775-687-0603. The edition features 24 re-printed stories from 1936 to 2010 and provides a fascinating historical perspective on Nevada, including the Pony Express, atomic testing, Nevada’s mining legacy, Hoover Dam, wild horses, “Bonanza,” and more. The collector’s editions are $19.95 each, plus $4 shipping and handling. Nevada state employees can get the 75th-Anniversary Edition for $15 by e-mailing pati@nevadamagazine.com or calling 775-687-0633.

Today, Nevada Magazine is a division of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, published bimonthly, and based in Carson City and Las Vegas. Check out old cover images here.

In Nevada Magazine’s January/February 2011 issue

Nevada Magazine’s January/February 2011 issue — the Las Vegas Territory Special Edition — will be available soon on newsstands throughout Nevada. In it are a feature on Las Vegas’ fascinating history, a roundup of Southern Nevada towns, and a Q&A with Brian Sandoval, who takes office as Nevada Governor on January 3. Also highlighted are Southern Nevada’s parks and recreation areas, off-the-beaten-path destinations, main attractions, and a history story about Potosi, the state’s first lode mine.

As part of its 75th anniversary, the magazine is highlighting Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Reno-Tahoe Territory, Pony Express Territory, Indian Territory, Cowboy Country, and Nevada Silver Trails. The March/April 2011 issue will cover central Nevada’s Pony Express Territory.

Cover photo: Anders Sorensen

Nevada Magazine’s 2011 Historical Calendar Now Available

2010-11-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Nevada Historical Calendar, produced by Nevada Magazine, is now available for purchase. For more than 30 years, Nevada residents and enthusiasts have enjoyed the award-winning calendar full of photographs from years gone by. It also makes for a great holiday gift.

Each calendar is $12.99 plus $4 shipping and handling. To order, visit nevadamagazine.com, or contact Publisher Janet Geary at 775-687-0603 or jmgeary@nevadamagazine.com.

Nevada state employees can get the calendar for a special price of $10 each by contacting Pati Stefonowicz at 775-687-0633 or pati@nevadamagazine.com.

Also available for pre-order is Nevada Magazine’s 75th-Anniversary Edition, which will be printed in early December, in plenty of time for holiday gift giving. This 192-page collector’s piece, selling for $19.95 each plus $4 shipping and handling, will feature photos and stories from the past eight decades. Visit nevadamagazine.com for further details, or contact Geary.

By clicking here, customers can order the anniversary edition, the calendar, and a one-year subscription (six issues) to the magazine for the great value of $41.95.

In Nevada Magazine’s November/December 2010 issue

Nevada Magazine’s November/December 2010 issue is available on newsstands throughout Nevada. Featured in the edition are the opening of the Hoover Dam Bypass, which includes the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, and a roundup of new Nevada-themed books. Nevada Magazine also names its inaugural Writers’ Contest winner, Eddy Ancinas. The Lake Tahoe resident took gold with her story, “Back in the Saddle,” about an Elko-area cattle drive.

Also in the November/December issue, the magazine spotlights Made In Nevada businesses, offers a comprehensive listing of buffets around the state, explores the popular Las Vegas attraction CSI: The Experience, and concludes its Tour Around Nevada in Elko.

Sparks resident wins Nevada Magazine’s 2010 Great Nevada Picture Hunt

2010-08-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

A year after a Texas man won the grand prize in Nevada Magazine’s annual photo contest, a Sparks resident has delivered the gold back to the Silver State.

Sean Kukowski, who captured a thrilling 2009 summer lightning storm over the Reno area, is the Grand Prize winner of Nevada Magazine’s 33rd annual Great Nevada Picture Hunt—the feature story in the publication’s September/October 2010 issue.

The winning image (above), titled “Reno Lightning,” was taken from a hillside off of State Route 445, known as Pyramid Highway. “This storm took me by surprise,” Kukowski says. “It had some of the most impressive lightning I have ever seen.”

In addition to the Grand Prize, photographers were judged in five different categories: City Limits, Wide Open, Adventure, People, and Events. All the 2010 category winners are Nevada residents, including Las Vegas’ Bill Gerrard, who won the City Limits category and took Runner-Up in Events. Gerrard’s winning photo is of the tram that connects CityCenter to other Strip resorts.

Ellen Sargent, from Indian Springs, swept the People category with sepia images taken at the Overland Ranch in Ruby Valley. The subject of the winning image, Len Wines, was captured during his final branding at the 137-year-old ranch. The Runner-Up image is that of Len’s grandson, Pat, from the same branding.

Other winners are Reno resident Michael Horsley (Wide Open, “Incline Night Shot”) for his nighttime winter overview of Incline Village; Reno’s Krista Williams (Adventure, “Hidden Beach Paddle Surfers”) for her intriguing photo of two paddle surfers taken from the shore of Lake Tahoe; and Ralph Willits of Las Vegas (Events, “Shot Show”) for capturing a leaping dog at an annual hunting and outdoors trade show.

To view the winning images, pick up the latest issue (at right) at national bookstores and where magazines are sold in Nevada, or visit NevadaMagazine.com. Look for an ad in a future 2011 issue covering rules of submission for the 2011 contest, or check back regularly at NevadaMagazine.com.

Also in the September/October issue, Nevada Magazine highlights some of the state’s more accessible ghost towns, visits Virginia City’s Mackay Mansion Museum, Lake Tahoe’s Thunderbird Lodge, and Reno’s Freight House District, covers two fabulous Fallon restaurants, and continues its Tour Around Nevada in Boulder City.

Ely's Jailhouse Motel

2010-07-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

It's places like Ely's Jailhouse Motel Casino that epitomize the essence of rural Nevada. We found that out during our delightful stay there earlier this month.

Where else can you eat at the Cell Block Steak House — one of northeastern Nevada's finest — for example? Diners can enjoy their meal in the privacy of their own jail cell. "It’s the best meal you’ll ever experience behind bars," reads the Jailhouse website.

The brick exterior and interior walls fit the property's Wild West theme, complemented by myriad framed black-and-white history photos on the casino walls illustrating the history of the area and state as a whole.

Appropriately, the guest rooms, which accommodate up to four people, are referred to as "cells." The motel also has a Garden Coffee Shop for those who want a cheaper, faster alternative to the steakhouse.

There are a host of slot machines (one-armed bandits) available, but their presence is not overpowering and will go virtually unnoticed to the non-gamer. The property offers a small fitness room and hot tub as well.

Next time you're in Ely, give the Jailhouse a try. You won't be disappointed.

Nevada Magazine celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2011

2010-06-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

In January 1936, the state highway department introduced Nevada Highways and Parks — known today as Nevada Magazine. Always an information source for Nevada residents and tourists, what started as a black-and-white digest-sized bulletin has grown into a colorful magazine (see past issues here). Today, Nevada Magazine is a division of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, published bimonthly, and based in Carson City and Las Vegas.

In 2011, the state’s official tourism publication celebrates its 75th anniversary. To honor the milestone, the magazine will produce a 192-page special edition, to be printed late this year. “Nevada Magazine is an icon in the West,” says Publisher Janet M. Geary. “Just the other day I was talking to a man in Las Vegas who owns every issue of the magazine. We are excited to celebrate 75 years of Nevada history.”

Subscribers, history buffs, and general Nevada enthusiasts can order the 75th-Anniversary Special Edition now at nevadamagazine.com or by calling 775-687-0603. The special edition will feature re-printed stories from the past eight decades and provide a fascinating historical perspective on Nevada, including the Pony Express, atomic testing, Nevada’s mining legacy, Hoover Dam, wild horses, and more. The collector’s editions are $19.95 each, plus $4 shipping and handling. ORDER HERE

In addition, the magazine will highlight Nevada’s six “Territories” in 2011, customizing each of the year’s six issues to honor Las Vegas Territory, Reno-Tahoe Territory, Pony Express Territory, Indian Territory, Cowboy Country, and Nevada Silver Trails. For more information on Nevada tourism’s Territory designations, visit nevadamagazine.com.

Nevada Magazine announces 2010 Best of Nevada winners

2010-06-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

Nevada Magazine’s July/August 2010 issue is available on newsstands throughout Nevada. In the edition, the winners of the 13th Annual Best of Nevada readers’ survey are revealed. From Brewery to Wedding Venue, the anticipated annual listing includes 17 categories.

Readers can also explore some of the Silver State’s unique, fragile environments via a feature on Nevada’s lakes and the environmental challenges facing them and a story about Nevada’s nine National Wildlife Refuges. Desert NWR in southern Nevada and Sheldon NWR in northwestern Nevada are covered extensively.

A story about Nevada tour companies (the cover image, also shown below, features a helicopter view of Hoover Dam) helps travelers plan their next Nevada adventure, and after a day of Nevada sightseeing, nothing hits the spot quite like southern-style soul food, the topic of this issue’s Cravings story.

A piece on St. Thomas tells the interesting history of a town that was once submerged by rising Lake Mead. The ghost town is now above water due to prolonged drought in southern Nevada. The Events Spotlight takes readers to the counter-culture festival in the Black Rock Desert, Burning Man, and the People feature spotlights Madeleine Pickens and her nonprofit, Saving America’s Mustangs.

Finally, the magazine’s Tour Around Nevada continues in the historic town of Ely. On July 17, Nevada Magazine will attend Nevada Northern Railway’s celebration of Engine No. 40’s 100th birthday. Visitors to the Ely event can pick up free magazines and other Nevada information, and Nevada Magazine staff will present a plaque and framed story to the town.

Writers’ Contest Deadline is Approaching

In addition to its popular Great Nevada Picture Hunt photo contest, Nevada Magazine is holding its first Writers’ Contest in 2010. Submissions — writers are required to keep their stories at 1,500 words or less — must be received by Monday, August 2 at 5 p.m. (PST). The first-place winner will be published in the November/December 2010 issue.

See contest details at nevadamagazine.com. Refer questions to Editor Matthew B. Brown at editor@nevadamagazine.com or 775-687-0602.

July/August 2010 cover image photo by Matthew B. Brown

The Mackay Mansion Museum

2010-06-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

A visit to The Mackay Mansion Museum—or Virginia City in general for that matter—truly is a "Step Back in Time" (which just so happens to be the slogan of the Northern Nevada historic town's Convention and Tourism Authority).

The museum reopened for tours on May 1 of this year, and we were lucky enough to be escorted around the property by the man behind the mansion's renaissance: Octavio A. Cresta. He has leased the mansion through 2014 and has furnished its bedrooms with period pieces from his Uniquities Fine Antiques and Home Decor store out of Incline Village.

A stroll through the mansion is eloquent, rugged, and a little bit of spooky all rolled into one. When you walk into the stylish bedrooms, you get a feel for how absurdly rich John Mackay was. Mackay was the "Boss of the Big Bonanza," which put his net worth at about $100 million in his glory days. He moved into the mansion, originally built as the Gould and Curry mining offices, after his home was destroyed in the city's Great Fire of 1875. The grand room (see photo above) of the Italianate-style house claims the original fireplace and overhanging mirror—the mirror's frame appears to be plated with gold.

The museum also has its share of rustic items, from an old fire-fighting wagon to myriad household items of the day (stoves, sewing machines, laundry soap, etc.). Like many old Nevada buildings, there are rumors of the paranormal at the mansion, too. The most famous story concerns actor Johnny Depp. While filming the movie "Dead Man," Depp stayed in Mackay's former bedroom. He supposedly saw a ghostly apparition in the form of a little girl, who other people have claimed to see in the house.

The mansion is open to the public for tours daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Winter hours, which begin around November 1, are to be determined. Private, exclusive tours can be tailored to your needs. Call 775-847-0373 for more information.

Photos & story by Matthew B. Brown. See more photos here.

Nevada Magazine announces 33rd annual Great Nevada Picture Hunt

2010-04-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

For more than three decades, Nevada Magazine’s Great Nevada Picture Hunt photo contest has been a favorite among readers. One Grand Prize winner in this year’s contest will receive $250 and a Lake Tahoe helicopter tour courtesy of HeliTahoe. Five category winners (City Limits, Wide Open, Events, People, and Adventure) will each receive $100. Send photo submissions, preferably via e-mail, to tony@nevadamagazine.com by 5 p.m. (PST) on Friday, June 11, 2010. If you need to mail your images, call 775-687-0606 for instructions. To view past contest winners, or for more details on the contest, click here.

Nevada Magazine also recently switched subscription service providers to Minnesota-based PMG Data Services. “We are happy to announce our new association with PMG,” says publisher Janet M. Geary. “This company will be handling all the circulation needs for our readers.” Now, ordering a subscription via nevadamagazine.com is easier than ever. Soon, customers will be able to change their address, check their renewal status, and get their questions answered online.

In Nevada Magazine’s May/June 2010 issue

In the May/June 2010 issue (shown at left), available on newsstands, we explore Nevada’s softer side, with a photo feature on the state’s wildflowers and a guide to stargazing around the Silver State. A story about family-friendly attractions in and around Las Vegas and Reno provides readers with options that will keep the kids entertained, and our events-themed Spotlight covers a number of family-friendly outings to plan for this spring and summer.

A story about Nevada’s trio of wineries is perfect for when mom and dad need a break from the kids. Not to ignore Nevada’s rugged side, this issue’s History story recaps the famous 1910 Jack Johnson-James Jeffries heavyweight boxing match in Reno. The other feature highlights the state’s little-known military operations in Fallon, Hawthorne, and Las Vegas. Finally, the magazine’s Tour Around Nevada continues in the southeastern border town of Mesquite.

Cover image by Chris Talbot

Tonopah’s Central Nevada Museum

2010-04-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

STORY & PHOTOS BY NEAL DAVIS SR.

I arrived in Tonopah on a windy and cool March afternoon and, after checking into my hotel, headed directly to the Central Nevada Museum.

The museum sets back from the main road, and, as I turned into the facility, I was greeted by three World War II bombs displayed in front of the museum yard. This included the “Guide Bomb” that was tested in secrecy during the war. Further back toward the main building, the yard was full of old mining equipment, ore cars, and other early 20th- Century machinery.

As I entered the museum, there were walls of old photos and glass-encased displays filled with old typewriters, telephones, rifles, etc.—directly out of the Old West. Old sepia photographs, era uniforms, and clothing worn during the height of the big silver strike in the early 1900s lined the walls.

I roamed through the displays until I found the Tonopah Army Airfield display tucked in the back of the building. After a brief review of the display, I worked my way back to the front and found the museum researcher, Angela Haag. I told her of my interest in writing a story about the airfield, and Angela, without hesitation, opened up her knowledge and understanding of the airfield’s history.

Since it was near closing time, I feared we would not be able to cover much during the visit. However, no clock-watchers here! Angela not only shared her knowledge but also surprised me with a DVD about the airfield and more specifically, the testing of the Guide Bomb (forerunner to the 21st-Century Smart Bomb) and, in addition, shared an autographed photo of Amelia Earhart (see below) that was given to an aviatrix friend that lived in Tonopah at the time.

I could have stayed longer conversing with Angela, but time was not on my side. Before leaving, she suggested I contact Allen Metscher, President of the Central Nevada Historical Society and the specialist in Aircraft Accident Research Archaeology & History for the airfield.

After returning to my home in Phoenix, I contacted Allen, and we had a spirited conversation regarding the airfield, its contribution to the war effort, and, most interesting, the number of young airmen killed during training—110—mostly from P-39 and B-24 training flights.

I cannot say enough about the quality of the museum and Angela and Allen’s helpfulness. They are eager to share their knowledge. You will feel at home immediately when walking through the museum doors. If you have any interest in the Tonopah area’s history, stop in and pay them a visit. You will not be disappointed.

Ice Fishing at South Fork Reservoir

2010-03-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

BY JAY DUDLEY

Sitting and fishing through a hole drilled in the ice was once a concept that failed to interest me. Five years of appeals from my friend in Elko did not persuade me. “It’s not like you think,” he’d say from time to time, going on to describe the pleasures of ice fishing at South Fork Reservoir. In spite of his enthusiastic endorsements, he might as well have invited me to play golf in the snow.

He finally prevailed by linking the idea with his 50th birthday, making an ice-fishing foray part of the festivities. We had been friends so long that I could not say no, and I soon found myself on a frigid February day, bumping along the lakeside dirt road, rock hard except for the low-lying mud holes we mushed through in four-wheel drive.

Now standing on shore in a borrowed snowmobile suit and thick-soled boots, I scan a surface wind riffled and blue just months ago, now frozen flat, dazzling white, and who knows how thick. Or thin.

I venture onto this layer of frozen water, feeling secure only because my heavier friend precedes me. The auger turns relentlessly—scraping, boring, bearing down, drawing ice up in a pile around the pending hole like fence-post dirt, but white. Finally piercing the last icy inch, frigid water bursts up gushing, clinging, riding the still churning auger.

And now, another piercing: a night crawler poked through and threaded onto a fishhook. Lowered into the water on a small rod and reel held steady in a PVC pipe frame, he dangles. And we wait. With a slotted spoon we take turns clearing the hole of the ice crust forming relentlessly on the exposed dark water.

Far above the twinkling snow, the sky so cloudless, the air so clear, the Ruby Mountains stand so perfect in their form that I gaze again and again, almost in disbelief. Bald eagles perch in a far away tree. A hawk soars. Canadian geese fly by on the strength of whooshing wings.

Below me, an eerie groan, then a cracking sound so ominous that heard atop any other surface would have sent me scrambling for firmer footing. Thickening and growing, but crowded and constricted by the lakeshore, with no place to go the ice splits somewhere. Following lines of least resistance the crack moves with startling speed toward us, then shoots beneath like a runaway train, but the ice does not give way.

Captivated by the unforeseen—stunning beauty above and ominous sounds below—the squirming night crawler suspended under the ice is the last thing on my mind. My friend notes a quivering in the slender tip of one tiny ice-fishing rod, more definitive than wind would bring. The rod begins to bow, tremble and shake, its holder quivering, rattling against the ice.

Due to my distracted lapse in vigilance, it would serve me right if the fish succeeded in hauling the whole rig into the hole, but I sprint toward it sliding like a kid into third base and pounce on the rod. The fish appears—about 20 inches of silver-flashing fury—detectable in frantic snatches through an eight-inch porthole in the ice.

He surges and runs again and again, eventually tiring, but still resisting. Eventually I hoist him through the 18-inch lid on the lake. Taking my gloves off to remove the hook my exposed hands feel the bitter cold.

Seated on ice in lawn chairs, when we’re not talking, it’s immensely quiet out here, but for the ice cracking and the almost-undetectable clatter of snow grains breezing across the ice’s blanket of snow. In the south, coyotes begin to howl. From the west, coyotes answer.

The fading sun enhances the cold. The chill shocks my face when I dare turn into the breeze. Eventually, my feet, though encased in layers of wool and thick boots, relay their message: it’s time to consider heading for shore and the shelter of the truck.

We gather our gear and fish into a makeshift sled—a large plastic bin bolted to garage-sale skis cut to fit, it slides deftly over the snow as we tow it behind us. Near the shore the ice has thawed only slightly but gives way beneath, dropping me a half-inch or so to the mucky bottom.

One step more, onto dry ground with the firm earth under my feet, it’s all good, an amazing—sometimes spooky—experience. I’d come again. Peeling off my thermal jumpsuit and feeling the jolting cold again, I pull myself up into the truck. Closing the door brings a sense of delight and satisfaction—like I had gotten away with something.

Cell-phone photos taken by Jay Dudley. In the first, Jay's friend, Perry, uses the auger.

Touring the Hawthorne Army Depot

2010-03-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about being a journalist is that you get to live vicariously through so many fascinating people and their careers. A prime example of that was my recent tour of Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada.

While they weren't about to let me test the latest in U.S. rocket-launching technology, I did get a comprehensive tour and overview of the various activities that occur at HWAD (Hawthorne Will Always Deliver).

The itinerary included an overview briefing with the commander, a drive-by tour of the long-term and short-term housing, a look at the Depot's new Groundwater Treatment Plant, a windshield tour of the WADF (Western Area Demilitarization) area, and a bird's-eye view of the terrain that has been utilized to train troops being deployed to Afghanistan.

But the most interesting part of the day was the visit to mini-Kabul, if you will. The Depot has built a small simulation of a typical Afghanistan city/town (see photo below), which troops use to train in. The buildings are somewhat sophisticated, with multiple levels, doors, and windows and dummies meant to represent opposing soldiers. It's surreal to be among these training grounds at their most peaceful, and then to imagine a day later they could be buzzing with training soldiers.

Although we did not get to see the site, the Depot is also in the process of testing geothermal wells. The goal is to have a fully operational plant by 2012.

For more photos, visit Nevada Magazine's Flickr profile. Also, check out Nevada Magazine's May/June 2010 story about military operations in the Silver State. In addition to Hawthorne, we cover Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas and Fallon Naval Air Station in Northern Nevada.

Story & photos by Matthew B. Brown

Vote in Nevada Magazine’s Best of Nevada 2010 readers’ poll

2010-02-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

Nevada Magazine’s annual Best of Nevada readers’ poll is now available online at NevadaMagazine.com. The 13th annual poll allows readers to weigh in on categories ranging from Best Casino, Hotel, and Restaurant to Best Place to Take Kids.

Results will be published in the July/August 2010 issue and on NevadaMagazine.com in late June. “We encourage everyone to go to our Web site and vote for their favorites, including in our small towns and rural areas,” says Publisher Janet Geary.

To vote, visit the NevadaMagazine.com homepage and click on the Best of Nevada 2010 logo, or just click here to get started. The categories are divided into three parts: Northern, Southern, and Rural Nevada. You do not need to fill out all the categories to submit your survey. However, two lucky voters out of those who complete their ballots will win complimentary two-night stays at Eldorado in Reno or The Venetian/The Palazzo in Las Vegas. Voting ends on Thursday, April 15.

The 2008 and 2009 Best of Nevada winners can be viewed at NevadaMagazine.com.

In Nevada Magazine’s March/April 2010 issue

Nevada Magazine’s March/April 2010 issue hits newsstands in late February. In it are features on the 75th anniversary of Nevada’s state parks and the Pony Express sesquicentennial—150 years ago riders saddled up to deliver mail via the historic trail, crossing Nevada between Sacramento and Missouri.

Also highlighted are the newly reopened V&T Railroad route (connecting Virginia City and Carson City) and other places to ride the short line, Basque eateries, six ways to splurge in Las Vegas, Barry Manilow’s new show at Paris Las Vegas, Genoa’s first Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, and the magazine’s Tour Around Nevada continues in Lovelock.

To vote in Nevada Magazine’s Tour Around Nevada, click here.

Writers’ Contest

Click here for more details.

Valley of Fire State Park cover photo by James Phelps

Hoover Dam Helicopter Tour

2010-02-23T22:32:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, Associate Editor Charlie Johnston and I were treated to a 15-minute Hoover Dam Helicopter Tour, courtesy of Look! Tours and Stars and Stripes Air Tours.

We arrived at the Stars and Stripes heliport (1251 Airport Road) before 1 p.m. After a short delay, due to some feisty winds, we were soon up in the air and in the capable hands of pilot Curtis Cornelius (see photo below).

This was my first helicopter flight, so I was excited. I had never seen Hoover Dam before, so it was easy for me to be amazed at the dam, the new Hoover Dam Bypass (currently under construction), and the Colorado River, which from a bird's-eye view is strikingly green due to the lime in the surrounding rocks.

What surprised me, however, was the unique formations that define the land around Black Canyon and Hoover Dam. The earth juts up in tinges of brown, red, and green, and the mountains appear at a glance to be carved out of rock. It's all the more impressive after flying over a vast, flat expanse of dirt and sagebrush in approaching the dam from the airport.

It was also quite the view to see Boulder City Golf Course such a nice shade of dark green, even in February. For such a short flight, the variance in scenery tricks you into thinking you were in the air a lot longer. Watch a video about the experience here.

Look for a story on Las Vegas tour companies in an upcoming issue of Nevada Magazine. If you're skeptical of the hovering variety, don't worry, we'll offer some suggestions that will keep you on the ground.

Photos & story by Editor Matthew B. Brown

A Powdery Day at Diamond Peak

2010-02-14T17:30:00.000-08:00

My uncle's a Republican. Republicans listen to Rush Limbaugh. So, on the way to Diamond Peak on a recent Friday, as a passenger I had the privilege of listening to Limbaugh rant about how Obama is failing us and how global warming is a farce.

For the record, I don't consider myself Democrat or Republican, but I do like to think of myself as logical. Global warming is pure science, a non-debatable truth that can be proved with data, despite what Limbaugh or anyone else says.

My point, though, as far as this blog is concerned, is not at all related to global warming. Rather, on my way to Diamond Peak, it occurred to me that we (not just skiers and snowboarders, but anyone who depends on a faucet for a drink of water or a hot shower) have to appreciate the decent snow years just a little bit more nowadays, and 2010 has been just that — so far.

On this day, February 12, there was plenty of powder to go around from myriad storms that have passed through the Lake Tahoe area recently. Combine it with the fantastic views of Lake Tahoe (see photo above), and Diamond Peak in Incline Village contends with any of the major resorts in the area. Yeah, you're going to get more terrain at some of those other resorts, but you're also going to pay nearly double for a lift ticket.

If you haven't been yet, give Diamond Peak a try. You just might find that it has everything you're looking for at a reasonable price (plus the main lodge — see photo below — just underwent a significant renovation). And don't wait, because you never know what Mother Nature has in store for next ski season. Then again, if you believe Limbaugh, maybe you can afford to be patient.

Check out more Diamond Peak photos at our Flickr account.

Photos by Matthew B. Brown

Reno Philharmonic Lights Up the Pioneer Center

2010-01-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of attending Reno Philharmonic's "Latin Temptation" at Reno's Pioneer Center last night. I had seen one prior show—a cowboy poetry and music performance—at Pioneer Center, but this was completely different in almost every aspect.

The Reno Philharmonic, led this season by music director and conductor Laura Jackson, performs regularly at the venue. Jackson spoke before the show to members of the Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network and said, "This is where I want to be." Her flamboyancy and energy during the performance backed that statement up. You can tell Jackson enjoys what she does, and her stage presence alone makes it worth seeing one of the Phil's remaining shows.

Although I don't consider myself a classical music buff, I was thoroughly entertained, especially by the opening act, which featured selections from Georges Bizet's Carmen. Click here for a sampling.

Event though the pace was a little slow at times for my taste, accordion extraordinaire Peter Soave put on an amazing show playing to the music of Astor Piazolla. The night ended with a tribute to Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Apparently, Jackson has a sense of humor as well. After intermission, she said to the crowd, "I wonder how many of you have been to a Latin show where two-thirds of the music is French."

Hey, it was an entertaining two hours, and that's all that matters.

See Raphael's The Woman with the Veil through March 21

2010-01-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

I guess I didn't truly understand the significance of what I was about to see until I greeted locked doors at the main entrance of the Nevada Museum of Art on Friday, January 8. It was after regular hours, of course, but there was a scheduled media event as far as I knew.

I made my way toward the back of the museum and came across a side door, where a security guard asked me to push a button. I explained who I was, they checked "the list," and let me in. After verifying who I was a second time, security escorted me through another set of doors. It was about this time that it sank in how monumental this really was.

Actually, when Raphael's La Donna Velata or La Velata (The Woman with the Veil), c. 1516, was transported to the museum, it was quite the production as well, according to Rachel Milon, Director of Communications and Marketing for the NMA. You would have thought Barack Obama was being escorted to the museum, given Milon's description of countless police cars—with flashing lights—and an armored car delivering the painting at 2 a.m. to its 10-week temporary home in Reno.

The painting came from Portland, will be on exhibit in Reno from January 9 through March 21, then head to Milwaukee before returning to its rightful home in Italy. As I stared at the painting during a special media preview, before the onrush of folks who had received a special VIP invite to the unveiling, so many questions came to mind: Why didn't Raphael sign this particular painting, like most artists do?—(still not sure). How was the painting transported from Italy?—(by plane, under heavy security).

Much like the Rembrandt: The Embrace of Darkness and Light exhibit that runs through January 17, Milon expects a tourist boon from the Raphael exhibit. The museum is even partnering with local casinos on special room packages.

One thing is for sure, after Friday I can tell you I have much more of an appreciation for the arts. Whether you consider yourself an art aficionado or not, this is one exhibit you want to see before it leaves Reno. For hours and contact info, click here.

Experience the “Ahh!” of Eagles & Agriculture

2010-01-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

BY BILL CHERNOCK

It has been described as a signature event in Northern Nevada’s Carson Valley. Coming into its eighth year, the Eagles and Agriculture Event has shared the wonder of agriculture and wildlife with nearly 3,600 participants. The centerpiece of the experience is found in the Saturday chartered bus tour and buffet lunch. This is where “ahh!” can be felt the greatest.

By 8 a.m. the luxury coaches are boarded with bundled participants ready to see Bald Eagles and with a little luck, the birth of a calf. The tour guides, affectionately referred to as BSers, introduce the pair of bird experts. Typically members of the Lahontan Audubon Society, the bird experts are on hand to identify avian species, discuss biology, home range, and habitat requirements. They also keep a tally of the birds spotted throughout the morning.

BSers are locals versed in history, agriculture, geography, political issues, and a fair bit of hear-say. The coach is a buzz with questions and fun facts to know and tell. We are headed to the first ranch stop to meet the rancher who has worked and cared for a piece of Carson Valley land for many years.

As the bus unloads, the bird experts set up spotting scopes aimed at prime targets, and the rancher begins to spin his story describing the agricultural livelihood. Some say the best part of the tour is “being on the private ranches and hearing their history.” Others describe the ahh! as “meeting neighbors who make this valley important.”

After the fifth ranch is visited, the last eagle, Red-tailed hawk, waterfowl, bobcat, and other occasional wildlife are spotted and recorded, and the bus heads back to the Carson Valley Inn where an unbelievable buffet lunch is being prepared. En route, the BSers help the participants select the best mooer. That’s the one that can imitate a cow or bull the best. At lunch, each bus will delegate their best to compete for the mooing contest prize, and bragging rights. Bird tallies are announced, raffled prizes are won, exhibits are visited, and new friends are made as lunch winds down. The ahh! of the Eagles & Agriculture experience is coming into view.

This year, the chartered bus tour & buffet lunch is on Saturday, February 20, starting at the Carson Valley Inn at 7:30 am. The cost is $60 per person. For reservations contact the Carson Valley Arts Council at 775-782-8207 or online at visitcarsonvalley.org to download the registration form. For additional lodging and visitor information call the Carson Valley Visitors Authority at 775-782-8144 or toll-free at 800-727-7677.

Nevada Magazine introduces Writers’ Contest

2009-12-31T13:48:00.000-08:00

In addition to its popular Great Nevada Picture Hunt photo contest, Nevada Magazine is holding its first Writers’ Contest in 2010. Submissions — writers are required to keep their stories at 1,500 words or less — must be received by Monday, August 2 at 5 p.m. (PST). The winning entries will be published in the November/December 2010 issue.

“We ask that interested writers visit our Web site, NevadaMagazine.com, to review submission rules carefully,” says editor Matthew B. Brown. “We look forward to reading everyone’s work. Nevada is a big state, and we know there are some hidden journalistic gems out there waiting to be uncovered.”

Questions should be referred to Brown at editor@nevadamagazine.com or 775-687-0602.

The magazine’s latest issue, January/February 2010, features the 50th anniversary of the VIII Olympic Winter Games at Squaw Valley and the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive. Also included is a story about Cirque du Soleil’s new Las Vegas show, “Viva ELVIS,” and The King’s Ransom Museum, Imperial Palace’s tribute to The King.

In addition, the issue covers Las Vegas’ Club Tattoo, turquoise mining, steakhouses, a history story about legendary Carson Valley mail carrier “Snowshoe” Thompson, and the magazine’s Tour Around Nevada continues in historic Austin. To vote for the rural Nevada town you’d like covered, click here. A new “Nevada Wide Web” page gives readers insight into the magazine’s social media endeavors, including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.

For more information on the Great Nevada Picture Hunt, contact art director Tony deRonnebeck at tony@nevadamagazine.com or 775-687-0606. Nevada Magazine is sold on newsstands around the state and in national bookstores. For a Web Special subscription rate, visit NevadaMagazine.com.

Cover photo: Eddy Ancinas

Chance Meeting on the Loneliest Road in America

2009-11-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

BY BOB & NANCY BECK

My wife and I have spent the majority of this year participating in a Harley-Davidson Owners Group (HOG) ABC's of Touring game, collecting points for visiting various states, Canadian provinces, cities, counties, various H-D sites, and state HOG rallies. One of our planned rides was from our home in Enid, Oklahoma to the Oregon state HOG rally. Our planned rides are on mostly scenic highways rather than the interstate system. During our travel research we found the Highway 50 Survival Guide, and we included it on our route to Welches, Oregon.

While cruising west on U.S. Highway 50 (the Loneliest Road in America) from Ely to Eureka we were approximately 30 miles east of Eureka when we passed four to five bikers headed east. As is the biker custom, we waved to the passing bikers as we passed each other. About three to four miles later I noticed a single biker pulling up next to me in my rear view mirror.

Thinking the biker was planning to pass me, I waited for the bike to pass. Rather than passing me, the biker pulled up next to me and stayed right on my left shoulder. Looking over to see why the biker had not passed, there is this guy with a huge grin on his face. After a second I recognized a working friend (Terry Johnson) from the Oneok Hydrocarbon plant located in Medford, Oklahoma.

We pulled off the road and talked with Terry for 15 to 20 minutes laughing the whole time. Terry, in a roundabout way, was returning from the Sturgis, South Dakota bike rally. He related that when we passed each other he recognized the color of my bike and with the trike right behind he told his friends that he knew who we were. The friends must have thought he was nuts but he turned around to track us down to say hello. What are the odds of something like that happening?

Terry and his group had left the Sturgis rally and were riding home. Almost 1,500 miles from home we ran into each other on the loneliest section of roadway in America. Can you imagine? The chance meeting has left my wife and me talking and smiling about the chance meeting since. Although Nevada Highway 50 is advertised as the loneliest highway in America it does not mean you can not be surprised and end up meeting a hometown friend while traveling across it. It could happen to you. It happened to my wife and me.

Rocking and Rolling with Nevada's Cows

2009-11-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

BY DIANE PIERCE

When it comes to entertaining yourself and family in Nevada, I'm sure the first thing that comes to mind is attending shows in Las Vegas or visiting ghost towns. While those are worthwhile, I propose a different type of entertainment, although it is not the kind you can buy tickets to, or actually plan to visit with a map and book in hand.

I am talking about camping with range cows. Really. If you happen to camp near them, they will gather to watch the phenomenon that is you, and if you display non-aggression, or talk to them, soon they will come over for a closer look. Sometimes too close.

My husband, Roy, and I chose to camp in the mountains above Austin in our Suburban one June day. With grasses and sagebrush around us, and mountain views in the distance, we congratulated ourselves on picking such a beautiful spot. Roy placed the cooler outside, then we wandered around enjoying nature. A herd of 30 cows, 10 calves, and 2 bulls were nearby; they walked on their own trail back and forth and stood staring at us in small groups.

I was a tad nervous at the sight of those bulls, those animals are BIG, but Roy assured me they would not bother us.

In the evening the wind kicked up, the air cooled down, and as twilight progressed, we finally climbed into the Suburban, lying down in the back to read and listen to the radio.

Suddenly, our rest was disturbed when a cow face loomed in the window. We sat up to see a most astonishing sight. All of the herd, every single cow, was grouped around the cooler, taking turns licking the rim with their long cow tongues, exploring it thoroughly, like some sort of festive ritual, pushing each other out of the way to get at the cooler first. It was hilarious. And rather disgusting. Fortunately, the lid was shut tight, and let's not think too hard about cow saliva all over our food storage...icky.

When they finally had enough of that, most of them moved off, and we had relaxed once more, when the Surburban began rocking back and forth. It felt like an earthquake, but it was not; the all-black Big Bull was scratching his neck on the bumper, and seemed to be quite enjoying himself. He was so huge, his back was a good eight inches over the top of the vehicle. Roy rolled down the window and said “You can't do that, Mr. Bull! Mr. Bull, get out of here!” But Mr. Bull totally ignored Roy. What nerve!

He kept right on scratching, and we kept right on rocking. I guessed a bull would weigh a ton, and I wondered if we would be rolled over.

Soon a younger bull was in the act, and the bigger bull had to let him know who was boss. Thus, both began a low growling and roaring, as they paced around each other, bellowing, grunting and continuing to rock the truck. It was both funny and nerve-wracking; we were certainly trapped inside until they finally left as dark descended.

I guarantee you will never be bored when you rock 'n' roll with Nevada's range cows.

Broadway Comes to Reno

2009-11-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

For the last 15 years, The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts has brought some of Broadway's most loved musicals to Reno. Last Friday, November 6, the 15th season of the Pioneer Center's Broadway Comes to Reno opened with a three day, five show performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, "Cats." To celebrate my mother's birthday, my brother, sister, and I took her to the opening performance of the play she had not seen in more than 20 years.

Not your typical point-to-point storyline, "Cats" is based on the 1939 collection of whimsical poems, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, by T.S. Eliot. Through the loose story, the audience is introduced to various Jellicle Cats and their individual quirks and eccentricities. Characters include the incorrigible Run Tum Tugger, wise Old Deuteronomy, the trouble making Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, and of course, the most clever and cunning, Mr. Mistoffelees.

Exceptional dancing and singing defined the performance, and tasteful special effects were a nice surprise. The standout performance was, with little surprise, the ubiquitous "Memory" by the outcast, former glamour cat, Grizabella.

While Sunday, November 8 was the last day of "Cats" in Reno, Pioneer's Broadway season features five more musicals: "The Wedding Singer," January 15-17; "Avenue Q," February 26-28; "The Drowsy Chaperone," March 26-28; "Stomp," April 16-18; and "The Wizard of Oz, May 14-16.

The Lynx and the Lasagna

2009-11-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

BY K.S. ABBOTT

After an arduous cross-country winter trek from Ohio, we arrived at our new home in rural northeastern Nevada on Christmas Eve. My husband and son began unpacking the car while our Labrador happily bounced around their feet.

As we approached the house, we discovered that the kitchen door had blown open during a snowstorm. There was a snowdrift across the kitchen floor, with paw prints in it. The prints were smaller than a bear’s, so I wasn't too worried. We shoveled out the snow and proceeded to unpack.

Our furniture had arrived earlier, and the Christmas tree was in a stand, ready for us to decorate. So, I decided the next order of business was a hot meal.

I was in the kitchen preparing lasagna for dinner when there was a commotion in the living room. The Christmas tree had tipped over, crashing against the wall, and the dog was trying to hide under the couch. Then it occurred to me that the paw prints led into the house but not OUT again. A lynx had been hiding behind the Christmas tree! She climbed up the tree and leaped up onto the crossbeam of the vaulted ceiling. She tried climbing higher toward the ceiling, then changed her mind (much to my relief because the top beam leads to the loft bedroom!). She dropped back down to the crossbeam and sat there, looking at me standing in the kitchen with my casserole dish. I was pretty sure she was eyeing the lasagna.

I was torn between admiring her beauty, as I had never seen a lynx up close, and wondering how to get her out! Here was a wild CAT that could eat my DOG. That would be a twist!

The solution was simple. I opened the kitchen door. She leaped down, ran past me and out the door (which I closed quickly). Apparently, lynx don’t like lasagna.

Welcome to the Wild West, right? But that wasn't the end of the story. Later, I noticed a musky odor under our son’s bed. I knelt down and saw what I thought was a large amount of fur, as though the big cat had laid down and shed some of her fur. I asked my husband to move the bed so I could sweep it up. It wasn't fur. It was the remains of a large bird. So, our houseguest had already enjoyed a Christmas dinner.

Nevada Magazine Goes Green

2009-11-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

Nevada Magazine’s November/December 2009 issue covers the future of green energy in Nevada, as well as the green building and living trends in the Silver State.

With a climate as conducive to harnessing geothermal, solar, and wind power as any on Earth, Nevada is positioning itself as a leader in the green movement. Companies such as Ormat Technologies (geothermal), Sempra Generation (solar), and Nevada Wind Company are either expanding or planning to incorporate in the state.

Other stories in the issue support the green theme, including how to eat green and reduce your carbon footprint—which in turn promotes healthy eating habits. Other stories focus on green building and LEED certification, including Incline Village’s Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, Reno’s Patagonia outlet, and Las Vegas’ Springs Preserve and CityCenter, the new mega resort which opens in December.

Nevada Magazine’s Tour Around Nevada continues in Laughlin, the sixth town recognized in the campaign in which people vote for their favorite rural towns. The top vote getter for a particular two-month period (Nevada Magazine is published every two months) is recognized in a later issue. The stories provide a snapshot of each town’s attractions and history. To vote for your favorite Nevada town (Carson City, Las Vegas, and Reno are excluded), e-mail editor@nevadamagazine.com and include the town and “Tour Around NV” in the subject line.

In other news, the 2010 Nevada Historical Calendar (see image below), produced by Nevada Magazine, is available for purchase. The price is $12.99 plus $3.99 shipping and handling. To order, visit NevadaMagazine.com or contact publisher Janet M. Geary at 775-687-0603 or jmgeary@nevadamagazine.com. There is also a link on the NevadaMagazine.com homepage that allows customers to order a combination one-year subscription to the magazine and 2010 calendar for $22.95.

Reno Aces World Series Dinner

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Matt Williams, who grew up in Carson City and was a three-sport (baseball, basketball, and football) star at the high school in the early 1980s, had a few surprises for a crowd of about 600 Reno Aces season ticketholders who turned out to see him speak at the Silver Legacy on October 28. The attendees were treated to dinner and a viewing of the World Series opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. Of course, there were a few of us media hounds in attendance as well.

Williams, a former Major League Baseball player best known in Northern Nevada for his seasons spent in a San Francisco Giants uniform (1987-1996), answered questions from the crowd after he gave a short introduction speech.

The toughest pitcher he ever faced? No, it wasn't Pedro Martinez or Roger Clemens, two of the dominant hurlers during Williams' prime — it was Mark Portugal. "You know those Bugs Bunny cartoons where the pitcher throws the ball and it's 'Strike one,' 'Strike two,' 'Strike three' all on the same pitch," Williams said. "That was what it was like facing Mark Portugal. His fastball was only 82 (mph), and he had a devastating change-up." Portugal and Williams weren't always in opposing dugouts; they were Giants teammates in 1994 and '95.

That may have not been the most shocking answer, however. When a man asked, "Which one of your teammates had the best work ethic?", the last thing I expected to come out of Williams' mouth was "Manny Ramirez." The two were Cleveland Indians teammates for only one season in 1997, but Ramirez made quite the impression on Williams with his intense batting-practice sessions, mostly focused on learning how to hit a slider. The mercurial Ramirez has taken heat in recent years for his sometimes lackadaisical attitude.

Williams is a part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team he won a World Series with as a player in 2001. The D'backs are the parent organization to the Triple-A Aces, which made Reno their home starting with the 2009 season.

For a 2010 Reno Aces home schedule, click here. For more information, visit the Aces official Web site.

2009 Nevada Press Association awards

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In September, Nevada Magazine had the distinct honor of winning numerous awards from the Nevada Press Association, the formal trade organization for the state newspaper industry. This was the first year the NPA included magazines in its annual awards competition.

We received first-place awards in the following categories: General Excellence, Best Page One Design, Best Feature Photo, Best Multiple Feature Photos, Best Large-Space Ad, Best Multi-Color Ad, Best In-House Advertising Promotion, and Advertising General Excellence.

It was very rewarding for us to be recognized by our peers. “Excellent in every area. Diverse and informative stories, beautiful photography, impeccable design, wonderful variety of advertising. Has it all!” read the NPA judges’ comments in reference to the General Excellence designation. On September 12, most of our staff traveled to Winnemucca for the awards dinner.

The NPA awards were a nice follow-up to a few other prestigious accolades we’ve received recently. In 2008, we were honored with two Gold awards — Most Improved Magazine and Photographic Series — in the 28th annual International Regional Magazine Association contest. Earlier that year, NevadaMagazine.com won a Grand Award in the 20th annual APEX competition and earned the top spot in the Magazine Affiliated Online Journalism division of the National Headliner Awards, one of the oldest and largest annual contests recognizing journalistic merit in the communications industry.