Monday, May 19, 2014

Check Out Our New Blog!

Greetings, Nevada enthusiast! It looks like you have come across Nevada Magazine's old blog. Feel free to look around, then click here to head over to our new blog on our website at nevadamagazine.com.
http://nevadamagazine.com/home/category/blogs/

Monday, February 10, 2014

DRI Nevada Medal Celebration Named Official Nevada 150 Event

Dr. Albert "Yu-Min" Lin
Governor Brian Sandoval to present annual award at evening events in Reno and Las Vegas.

The Desert Research Institute proudly announces that its annual DRI Nevada Medal Celebration has been named an Official Nevada 150 Event and is now included as part of Nevada's yearlong sesquicentennial celebration commemorating Nevada's 150th anniversary of statehood.

The DRI Nevada Medal, a national award given annually since 1988, is the highest scientific honor given in the State of Nevada and recognizes outstanding scientific, engineering, and technical achievement. Nominations are solicited from research faculty, students, organizations, and individuals statewide.

This spring DRI will proudly honor Dr. Albert "Yu-Min" Lin at evening events in Reno on March 25 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino and at the ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on March 27.

"It is truly an honor to present the DRI Nevada Medal each year," said Governor Brian Sandoval. "The Desert Research Institute is a tremendous asset to our state and their work to connect both students and adult audiences alike to inspiring people like Dr. Albert Lin is helping Nevada create the next generation of great explorers, scientists and engineers."

Dr. Lin, whose Chinese name (Yu-Min) roughly translates to "Citizen of the Universe," is a research scientist at the UC San Diego division of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) and an Emerging Explorer of the National Geographic Society in the field of technology-enabled exploration.

Dr. Lin's research has taken him into the most remote regions of the world, has led to industry-changing innovations, and has expanded the role of media in science. The effort he is most known for, the Valley of the Khans Project, is a high-tech ground, aerial, and satellite-based remote sensing, non-invasive search for the tomb of Genghis Khan that was featured in a one-hour National Geographic Channel documentary film, "Forbidden Tomb of Genghis Khan," which he also narrated.

"To me the Nevada Medal comes with the heavy responsibility of honoring the spirit of human curiosity... the desire to seek the unknown, stand at its bank, and venture in," said Dr. Lin, who holds a Ph. D. in Materials Science and Engineering.

The evening programs in Reno and Las Vegas feature a private and a general cocktail reception followed by a formal dinner with presentation of the DRI Nevada Medal Award and a talk by Dr. Lin.

For tickets and more information about the DRI Nevada Medal event, visit dri.edu/nvmedal. For more information about Nevada 150, visit nevada150.org.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Bottoms Up at Brew HaHa


The 19th annual Brew HaHa beer-tasting and entertainment fundraiser event is set for Friday, January 24 at 8 p.m at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks. Brew HaHa has more than 100 types of beer available for unlimited tastings and live music by electronic hip-hop group Vokab Kompany.

The event raises critical funding for the Sierra Arts Foundation in Northern Nevada. In 2013, Brew HaHa raised more than $37,000, allowing Sierra Arts Foundation to provide support for area artists and community arts programs, such as Arts in Education, the Elder Care Concert Series, and the Arts Integration Project.

General admission tickets include all-you-can-responsibly-enjoy tastings, including many seasonal and microbrew varieties that beer connoisseurs won’t be able to try anywhere else. A VIP ticket allows attendees access an hour early, along with a pre-event opportunity to speak with the brewers themselves. Both VIP and general admission tickets include a commemorative beer pint tumbler.

Brew HaHa tickets are available online at janugget.com, or by calling 800-843-2427. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $65 for VIP. Ticket prices increase by $10 if purchased at the door on the day of the event. Fifty percent of the ticket purchase price is tax-deductible.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Inaugural Nevada State Balloon Champion Series Announced

2013 Ruby Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival. Photo: Matthew B. Brown
As part of Nevada’s sesquicentennial celebration, Nevada 150 announced the inaugural Nevada State Balloon Champion Series. A special trophy will be awarded to the pilot who finishes with the most points from hot-air balloon races held throughout Nevada during 2014. Between January 25 and October 31, series points will be gathered and determined by a representative from each race in conjunction with The Great Reno Balloon Race Aeronauts. The seven 2014 races include:
  • Mesquite Balloon Festival - Jan. 25-26, Mesquite
  • The Lovers Aloft Balloon Festival - Feb. 14-16, Lovelock
  • The Winnemucca Balloon Festival - Apr. 26-27, Winnemucca
  • The Pahrump Invitational Balloon Rally - Mar. 7-9, Pahrump
  • The Great Reno Balloon Race - Sept. 5-7, Reno
  • Ruby Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival - Sept. 26-28, Spring Creek
  • RE/MAX Nevada Day Balloon Launch - Oct. 31, Carson City
"We are excited to award, for the first time ever, a Nevada State Balloon Champion for our state's sesquicentennial celebration," says longtime Nevada pilot Pat Irwin. "We hope this series will add new interest and excitement in all of these great balloon races across Nevada."

At the end of the final race, the winning pilot will be awarded the Nevada State Balloon Champion trophy and will be featured in the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City on October 31.

For additional information or to participate in the Nevada State Balloon Champion Series, contact Pat Irwin at 775-273-7123, 775-461-6887, or pirwin@health.nv.gov. For more information about this event and to view all the upcoming events for the Nevada 150 celebration, visit nevada150.org.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Fireworks Express Steam Train Launches in Ely

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely is starting off the new year with a bang during The Fireworks Express Steam Train event on January 18. As the only steam-powered locomotive in the world to shoot fireworks, The Fireworks Express Steam Train promises an impressive pyrotechnics display launched from a moving train. The ride has been recognized by the Nevada 150 Commission as an official event in the state's ongoing sesquicentennial celebration.

The train is set to leave the East Ely Depot at 4:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled to be shot off at 6:15 p.m. from one of two open-air flat cars. The second flat car is available for front-row viewing of the fireworks. Passengers can move freely between the open-air flat car and the enclosed, heated passenger cars.

The Fireworks Express is held in conjunction with the annual Fire & Ice Celebration at Cave Lake State Park near Ely from January 17-19. This award-winning event features a variety of carved ice sculptures and activities, including ice bowling and food and drink concessions. Call 775-289-3720 or visit elynevada.net for more details.

PLAN YOUR TRIP
The Fireworks Express Steam Train
Nevada Northern Railway Museum, Ely
Jan. 18
nnry.com, 775-289-2085

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Five Former First Ladies of Nevada Gather for Signature Nevada 150 Event


A Nevada 150 signature event of the 2014 sesquicentennial year, “First Ladies First: An Afternoon with Five Former First Ladies of Nevada,” will take place Saturday, January 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. With introductions by current First Lady Kathleen Sandoval, five former First Ladies of Nevada will gather to have a conversation with the public sharing their special projects, challenges, and lives while residing in the Governor’s Mansion. Guests can enjoy their stories, ask questions, and learn more about what Nevada’s First Ladies have done.

The historic event, sponsored by Women of Diversity Productions, will feature former First Ladies Kathryn Sue List (1979-83), Bonnie Bryan (1983-89), Sandy Miller (1989-99), Dema Lee Guinn (1999-2006), and Dawn Gibbons (2006-10).

“We are so excited to kick-off the new year with this momentous signature event,” says Kara J. Kelley, executive director of Nevada 150. “This event will provide great insight into what it was like residing in the spotlight of the Governor’s Mansion, as well as the importance of women’s roles in Nevada’s history.”

Emceed by Paula Francis, news anchor at KLAS-TV Channel 8, tickets to the event are complimentary and can be reserved by visiting eventbrite.com. For details regarding the event, call Dr. Marlene Adrian at 702-655-2146. Registration is required for the event and closes January 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Hear a radio interview with Adrian on the Nevada Magazine Radio Show here.

This is the premier event of the Nevada Women’s Legacy - 150 Years of Excellence, a Nevada Sesquicentennial project sponsored by Women of Diversity Productions, a statewide non-profit organization that promotes awareness of and documents women’s contributions to the State of Nevada. For more details on this project and other events, visit nevadawomensvirtualcenter.org.

To view all the upcoming events for the Nevada 150 celebration, visit nevada150.org.