Nevada Moon Rocks on Display

The smaller of two samples of moon rocks on display
at Nevada State Museum in Carson City through August 11.

Debunking a myth, Nevada’s moon rocks are not missing. In fact, moon rocks gifted to the Nevada State Museum and carried from space on Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 missions are safe, sound, and on public display in Carson City through August 11.

For more than a decade, a rumor has swirled that the moon rocks provided to several states were lost. The rumor circulated again recently, though Nevada’s samples have always been in the museum’s collections.

“They aren’t missing and never have been,” says Peter Barton, administrator of the Nevada State Division of Museums and History. “I saw them again for myself [recently]. We invite the public to come see for themselves. We just added what some experts say is the cannon John C. Fremont carried across the western states as he mapped out much of what is Nevada. We think these explorers had some things in common and hope people will come see both great pieces."

To celebrate the debut of  “Our Nevada Stories,” a new collection of artifacts has been gathered in advance of the state’s 150th birthday in 2014. Starting Saturday, July 27, the public can enjoy the moon rocks as part of the exhibit. For a more information about Nevada's moon rocks, refer to this 2009 Nevada Magazine story.

The museum is at 600 North Carson Street in Carson City. Admission is $8 for adults and free for members and ages 17 and younger. For information, call 775-687-4810 or click here.

Savor the Season

The Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute and NevadaGrown "Home Means Delicious" are presenting a celebration of culinary skill with the year-long “Savor the Season” recipe contest. The contest encourages residents to learn about locally grown, seasonal fruits, vegetables, and other foods and submit a favorite recipe utilizing one—or all—of the foods for a chance to win. The campaign is designed to educate the community about the benefits of eating both locally and seasonally.

Every month, a selection of the top “Savor the Season” recipes are featured in the Reno Gazette-Journal’s “Food” section and will be compiled into a NevadaGrown cookbook to be printed in 2014. Each home chef whose recipe is featured in the “Food” section receives a complimentary copy of the completed cookbook after printing, and at the end of the promotion, all entries are eligible to win a seven-cubic-foot freezer filled with $300 worth of meat or produce from Nevada farms.

Participants can get ahead of the competition by visiting the website for tips on where to buy local, how to select the best of the bunch, the most effective way to store food, and even ideas on how to prepare it.

To learn more about the contest and to enter your recipes visit the NevadaGrown Facebook page or whist nevadagrown.com.

Reno Hosts its First Triple-A All-Star Game

Photo: Matthew B. Brown

As the days become longer and hotter, it is evident that summer in Reno is in full swing. Summer means baseball, and Aces Ballpark in Reno hosted a spectacular display Wednesday during the Dolan Auto Group Triple-A All-Star Game. An Aces Ballpark record crowd of 10,135 fans gathered to watch the best Triple-A players.

Editor Matthew B. Brown and I were fortunate enough to attend the game, enjoying some much-needed ballpark food, sunshine, and, of course, baseball. The familiar organ music and the concession men shouting, "Get your popcorn here!" set the stage for a great evening at Aces Ballpark.

The highlights, according to the Reno Aces' communications department, are as follows:

The International League defeated the Pacific Coast League by a score of 4-3.

Catcher Tony Sanchez of the Indianapolis Indians hit a three-run home run to right field off PCL starter Jarred Cosart of the Oklahoma City RedHawks in the second inning, giving the IL a 4-2 lead. Sanchez finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs and was named the IL Top Star for his game-deciding home run. 

Michael Wacha of the Memphis Redbirds was named Top Star for the Pacific Coast League after pitching one-and-two-thirds innings without allowing a base runner. 

International League starter Greg Reynolds of the Louisville Bats tossed one inning giving up two runs off three hits and earned the win. Cosart received the loss and was replaced after allowing four runs over one-and-two-thirds innings. 

Photo: Matthew B. Brown

Louisville’s Billy Hamilton led off the game with an infield single and followed that up by stealing second. Back-to-back ground outs advanced Hamilton to third and eventually home to give the IL an early 1-0 lead. 

The PCL answered back in the bottom half of the first as Albuquerque’s Nick Buss and Reno’s Chris Owings hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Buss quickly scored off another single from Brett Pill of the Fresno Grizzlies. Owings advanced to third and would score on an RBI ground out off the bat of Brock Peterson of Memphis, giving the PCL a brief 2-1 lead. Peterson finished 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Sanchez’ blast in the top of the second inning was the first home run hit in in a Triple-A All-Star Game since Russ Canzler launched one in 2011. The PCL would score another run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI ground out by Fresno catcher Johnny Monell, but the IL relief pitchers closed the door, only allowing just one hit after the fourth inning.

Chris Bootcheck of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders contributed two shutout innings allowing only one hit. Earning the save was Columbus Clippers closer Preston Guilmet after he came in with two outs in the ninth to get Aces catcher Tuffy Gosewisch to ground out to end the game. 

Matt Davidson, the IGT Home Run Derby champ and Reno Aces third baseman, finished 0-for-2 and failed to reach base.

The International League’s victory gives them a 9-7 advantage over the Pacific Coast League in Triple-A All-Star Games since the format switched from AL vs. NL 16 years ago. The win also secures home-field advantage for IL’s representing team in the Gildan Triple-A National Championship to be held on Tuesday, September 17th at Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Nevada 150 Commemorative Silver Coins

Through September 1, visitors to the Nevada State Museum in Carson City will have a chance to witness a piece of Nevada's history in the making. In celebration of Nevada's sesquicentennial, 1,000 one-ounce NV150 commemorative coins will be made from a silver ingot, which is now on display at the museum. The 1,000-ounce bar of silver, mined from 4,000 tons of exclusively Nevada ore, will be melted down and stamped with the “CC” mint mark, honoring the state’s sesquicentennial which is Nevada Day, 2014.

The Coeur mining company near Lovelock donated the bar of silver to be used for the celebration. The mine has produced more than 130 million ounces of silver over 27 years, including the donated bar that is one foot long, six inches deep, and weighs more than 60 pounds.

The Northwest Territorial Mint in Dayton is in charge of melting the ingot to produce the coins. Coin sales will help fund the Nevada 150 events. Sale price is to be determined.

The museum is located at 600 N. Carson St. and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults. Visitors who are 17 and younger and museum members are free.

150th-Anniversary License Plates

Governor Brian Sandoval has announced that the Nevada 150th-anniversary license plates will be available at metropolitan DMV offices beginning July 29, and rural offices beginning July 31. The Governor also announced that as of July 9, DMV offices will begin accepting orders for personalized 150th license plates. The license plate is a precursor to the year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of Nevada’s 1864 statehood.

"The 150th license plate is an important part of recognizing our state's 150th anniversary," Sandoval says. "The proceeds from the plate will go toward supporting the year-long celebration, and I am thrilled that at the end of this month, motorists will be able to show their support for our great state."

Standard plates cost $33.50, plus a $20 annual fee, and personalized plates cost $68.50, plus a $30 annual fee. Revenues from the Nevada 150 license plates will generate funds to support projects and events related to the Nevada 150 celebration.

Click here for more information on standard or personalized 150th-anniversary license plates.

Nevada's Sesquicentennial Celebration

Brian Krolicki and Brian Sandoval in Carson City.

Earlier today, Governor Brian Sandoval and Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki held a press conference after arriving by steam locomotive at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. The governors addressed the celebration of Nevada's sesquicentennial, the unveiling of the Nevada Commission on Tourism's 2013 Discover Your Nevada campaign, and some important news about Nevada's state museums.

Governor Sandoval announced that many of Nevada's museums are upgrading, and all will expand their hours and days of operation. In celebration of the expanded museum operations, all seven Nevada state museums are offering two free admission days.

The free admission days are scheduled for July 6 and 20 and feature special programs, new exhibits, and unique opportunities. The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City is offering half-price train fares. The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson city is celebrating Independence Day July 4-7 and offering special outdoor locomotive displays and a chance to ride on a train pulled by the Virginia & Truckee (V&T) locomotive No. 25.

As part of the Discover Your Nevada campaign, the Nevada Commission on Tourism announced that beginning today, July 3, people can vote for their favorite activity, experience, or event in the state. Whichever activity, experience, or event gets the most votes will receive a plaque, a mention in a future issue of Nevada Magazine, and much more. Details can be found at travelnevada.com/discover, and by clicking on the Discover Your Nevada graphic below.

With Nevada's quickly approaching sesquicentennial, the governors announced the launch of the Nevada 150 campaign. With 150 events planned during the sesquicentennial year, the Nevada 150 campaign plans to "promote the independent spirit of Nevada through education, tourism, and history."

In lieu of the sesquicentennial, Governor Sandoval signed a law which authorizes sale of a special Nevada 150 license plate, which will be available for purchase through the DMV starting late July. Revenues from the Nevada 150 license plates will support projects and events related to the year-long Nevada 150 celebration.

Nevada Magazine Announces 2013 Best of Nevada Winners

Nevada Magazine has released the results of its 2013 Best of Nevada readers' survey. The survey spans 16 categories and includes golf courses, museums, restaurants, and state parks.

In most cases, winners are divided into three subcategories: North, South, and Rural. The top vote-getter was Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, which took honors in the North category for Casino, Hotel, Nightclub (EDGE), and Wedding Venue.

“We are excited about the enthusiasm our readers have for the State of Nevada,” said Janet Geary, publisher of Nevada Magazine. Many businesses and attractions leveraged social media to campaign for their categories. “The power of social networking is evident with surveys such as our annual Best of Nevada,” added Geary.

Carson City's Casino Fandango was a multiple-category winner as well for Buffet (Rum Jungle Buffet) and Casino. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum in Reno received recognition in the Museum and (best) Place to Take the Kids categories. Reno's Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe again garnered top honors in the Ski Resort category, which is not divided into subcategories.

Photo: Cindy Joyce

In food categories, Toucan Charlie’s Buffet & Grille (Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno) and Carnival World Buffet (Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas) were the other Buffet winners. Cactus Creek Prime Steakhouse (Bonanza Casino in Reno), Mon Ami Gabi (Paris Las Vegas), and The Star Hotel in Elko won in the Restaurant category.

A complete Best of Nevada 2013 list is published in the current July/August 2013 issue of Nevada Magazine, on newsstands now, and on nevadamagazine.com.

Also in the current issue are stories about backcountry lakes, rural Nevada campgrounds, wildlife sanctuaries, the monarch butterfly, and a History story about the state's innovative Mobile Museum that traveled around Nevada in the 1950s and '60s.