That’s Councilman Dave Aiazzi looking up at the wind turbine (in the 2nd photo), before the “turning on” ceremonies began with the partners in this effort speaking before a large gathering.
For more pictures (a whole lot more!), view here:
I saw my very first episode of TallCan Tv, when I am Indisposed’s Wolfy posted a nearly 10 minute video of the recent Sierra Arts’ sponsored BrewHaHa event (showcasing prime and locally brewed beers). I viewed this at http://renonv.ning.com, but you can see that and the other episodes here:
The beginning credits identify “I am Indisposed” presents, in association (usually) with “Mr. Jerz.org” and something called Stoddard Industries (and “Turbo Jones”).
CORRECTION:
“It’s Scriptard Industries and Sturbo Jones.
Our new umbrella name is Podlatch Media. Look for us soon @ Podlatch.com…
-M”
In early March, there’s going to be a day long workshop/meeting/summit on “interactive Nevada media” or “new media”, covering that whole scene including the all the new tools associated with, and used by, people communicating in the all the various ways granted by new technologies and means. This tallcan tv is clearly an example that demonstrates the pioneering spirit alive in the “new” or “interactive” media scene. For further information and news related to this upcoming March 7th summit (on the campus of UNR), go to:
http://www.nevadanewmedia.org/
There are likely no limits to the capacity of humans to imagine. Meaning, in the end, that there will be some very interesting vehicles of interacting and communicating that will be created down the road.
Something new, in the way of a developing community nexus for artists and musicians (especially the younger and maturing ones!), is manifesting on the 400 block of Valley Rd just off of East 4th and hot nearby nightclubs. Here’s some of the introductory information from the MySpace page for the Macro Center for Arts and Music:
We are a community arts project based in reno nv on valley and fourth next to bliss niteclub and club underground. We are open to all ideas that further the goals of macro which are primarily to help the local arts community create and educate and share.We want to have workshops for people to share their knowledge and get something for your time and positive efforts. Also we have a art gallery in the front for showings. Please get involved. If you would like to volunteer for childrens art projects or teach kids art or music, let us know. Looking for hip hop nights and drum circles and will be puting a calender for upcomin events respect to the people and give thanks for life treejah aka truejon
(Some of Treejah’s art is posted in a slide show on that page: http://www.myspace.com/macroartsreno)
From what little I know right now, this appears to be a colloborative effort involving a network of people who have been meeting in “committee”. The space at the Macro site seems to be open for use, an opportunity for people to learn and develop a capacity to express themselves through art and music. Stay tuned for developments and more information. Also, check in periodically by using the “Macro Center for Arts and Music” link on the right side of the page in the Art/Music Scene link category.
This is a really, really wonderful bit of news! This was found, very early this morning by me, over at Facebook. Just reading what events and and/or groups people had hooked up with. The event page at Facebook is called Reno’s Newest “Urban Turbine” Celebration and is described in this reposted description:
This Thursday, January 29th, a progressive collaboration of local companies will begin energy production from the first urban wind turbine in downtown Reno, Nevada.
The Renewable Energy Accelerator at 250 Bell (REA250) is a collaborative union of Nevada based companies, founded by Cathexes Architecture, Dynamic Competence, Great Basin Wind, and the Clean Energy Center. New affiliates include Bombard Renewable Energy, Proteros Development, Renewable Nevada, Sierra Club, Education Design Group, Bootleg Couriers, The Universe Is Breathing Web Design, the Reno Bike Project, and Smartbrand…with the list expanding every day.
REA250 co-founder and principle of Cathexes, Don Clark, states “we invested downtown because urban infill is the first effective action you can take in sustainable design and living.”
“This allows us to lead by example; we bring our ideas and industries into healthy collaboration,” states project coordinator, Eric Pfaff, of the Clean Energy Center. “It’s been a joy to be able to walk your talk when all of the involved parties are doing so as well.”
“Our success in raising this turbine is the result of forward-looking political leadership on both the state and local levels. Our nation needs more leaders like those we have here in Nevada,” notes Rich Hamilton of Great Basin Wind and co-founder of the REA250. Great Basin Wind is coordinating with the Clean Energy Center in installing the turbine. “With time, the wind known as the Washoe Zephyr will not only meet much of Nevada’s energy needs, it will be an inexhaustible source of energy for export. We will be mining megawatts to build the new energy economy.”
Chris Brooks of Bombard Renewable Energy adds, “This project is a perfect example of a successful partnership between NV Energy, Nevada Labor, and forward-thinking local business owners.” Bombard Renewable Energy provided the electrical expertise.
While other small wind turbines have been installed in the region, REA250’s efforts are unique because of the location – directly in the heart of the urban business district. One of the group’s efforts is focused on retrofitting urban centers for renewable power generation.
“The raising of our wind turbine is an important step for REA250 to engage the public in planning renewable energy for Nevada. We look forward to more educational and outreach programs associated with renewable energy,” says Susan Clark of Dynamic Competence and co-founder of REA250.
Reno Mayor Bob Cashell will activate the wind turbine on Thursday, January 29th at 2:30pm to officially begin sustainable energy production provided by the wind turbine. Several other local officials and dignitaries are also scheduled to attend.
The media is invited to meet and interview participants and attendees of the event immediately following the ceremonies.
For more information, please contact larry@smartbrand.biz or call (775) 771-7004.
This begins at 2:30pm on Thursday, January 29th and goes to 3:30pm at 250 Bell St.
An all nighter celebrating two things, the launching of the new Reno Tahoe Tonight magazine and the birthday anniversary of Bob Marley, will be hosted by the Se7en at its West Street Market site (148 West Street). It begins at 8pm on Friday, February 6 and into the morning at 3am. I found the listing of music at the facebook events page:
Live performances by West Style Virus (Hip-Hop), the return of local faves Jumbalaya Blue (Rock), Session (Ska/Reggae), Hoop Loop Dancers (Hula), Poet Henry Sosnowski (Voted Reno’s Best Poet in RNR’s Biggest Little Best of Issue Reader’s Choice Poll), Indie Acoustic artist Smiley Mikey (w/ Sax accompaniment).
Just Added: The Black Rock City Allstars in a late night special set! If you’ve never seen this ensemble, you’re about to be blown away by the full frontal family of funk they throw down. Your booty will thank you.
… … …
Further down the road (and now an annual event, with this being the third year), is the upcoming NadaDada Motel event where local artists display their art from rented rooms at the old Cortez Hotel and (beginning last year) at the Townhouse Motorlodge. Both places occupy opposite corners at 2nd and Arlington. The first year of this event (which included shows at the lounge by the Cortez and performance art on the streets) was called The Dada Motel. Last year, with some controversy and debate, it was called The Nada Motel. This event precedes the start of Art Town, which is celebrated with countless events in a wide variety of venues (many free and easily accessible) for the whole month of July. See details here:
http://www.nadadadamotel.com
How can Nevada generate more revenue to offset its serious shortfall in incoming money from its current range of existing revenue sources? Well, it can find a new source of revenue. Third Eye does advice multiplying current tax rates on cigarettes and liquor times four. Which would mean, for example, that my current nasty habit of smoking Pall Mall 100s would cost me about $4.01 instead of $3.25 per pack of cigarettes. But, beyond that, we have a great potential revenue source that politicians in our state seem to be completely afraid to even whisper about:
MARIJUANA!
Okay, I’m going to give the floor now to the writer of the Reno News and Review editorial (dated Thursday, January 22, 2008):
But, aren’t there a few ways to take better advantage of out-of-staters or to encourage and profit from iniquity?
Legalizing the growth and sale of marijuana certainly appears to hit those two categories. A straight legalization of pot and hemp within our state borders would encourage a whole new kind of agriculture (and, by the way, marijuana is a very low impact plant, requiring less water than many plants like corn, less fertilizer than beans and is usable in a variety of applications from paper to clothing to psychoactive mood enhancer), a new bracket of excise tax and a whole new stream of regulatory fees and fines.
We can guarantee a steady stream of income if the state of Nevada were to legalize this fairly innocuous plant before one of the other desperate states in this desperate union decides to make the leap.
Well…..d’uh!
The Obama Administration has not only enhanced (quite dramatically….and wonderfully) the White House website, but has a website up where people can organize and/or find out about volunteer service opportunities: http://www.usaservice.org
Today, I used their “Find Service” opportunities feature (type in your zip code and then the distance from there [i.e. "radius"]) and already see two things listed:
community health access (Civic & Community)
Friday, February 6 at 12:00 PMConcentra Urgent Care (Sparks, NV)I intend to propose to my colleagues and our company leaders at Concentra Occupational Centers, to consider allowing our facilities nationwide to provide FREE urgent…Clean up (Environment)
Saturday, June 13 at 9:00 AMTahoe National Parks (Reno, NV)No specific date set yet, but I want to find a few people willing to go up to area campgrounds in tahoe forest area. And…
Also, I note that the Reno News and Review editor Brian Burghart has started a Facebook group (under the name of that weekly newspaper), and in reading the first posted discussion there (with mulitiple responses), I see he is trying to establish a directory of sorts that educate people on available volunteer service opportunities.
Most of us have noted that President Obama emphasized a call to service in his Inaugural Speech this past Tuesday. If I remember correctly, he characterized such activity as something that’s enjoyable. I’m on the same page with that feeling. The only thing I would add is that the enjoyment is enhanced when such activity is engaged as a form of “karma yoga”, where the sense of a seperate “doer” evaporates. (Yeah, I’m taking this straight out of the Bhagavad Gita! And, quoting “Krishna”.) So, I’m suggesting that we gather more energy and enjoyment from serving when we let fall away a sense of duty (or obligation) and instead adopt the realization that serving is in fact a form of Play. (Clearly, the sentiments usually expressed at my other blog, “A Forest Wanderer’s Notes”, are leaking into this one right now!) Find something to do, in the way of service, that already pretty much resonates—or is similiar to—with the types of things you already enjoy doing.
(Okay, sermon’s over now…..)
The Washoe Democrats put on a big Inaugural Party last at the Grand Sierra. Big band music and ongoing coverage of the Inaugural Balls in Washington D.C. And, a great buffet dinner (I had two servings.) Ursula took this photo.
A new link category was added today (with an initial posting of two links) for the Art/Music scene in Reno. I will be trying to also expand the number of links in the other categories. Especially links to photo galleries related to Reno.
Speaking of which, I got an email from someone apparently associated with http://www.schmap.com; they told me that one of my photos at Flickr (account name “eurekamoksha”) had been shortlisted for their 6th edition of the “Schmap Reno Guide” (to be published in mid-February). Their website states that people can “explore [their] destination online with our unique integration of maps, photos and place reviews”. It’s the photo above.
We now have a new President and he is calling everyone to serve in some way. A website, http://www.usaservice.org , will enable people to find volunteer service opportunities in their communities. As I learn of more specific vehicles for serving here in Reno, I will report on that. (There’s a posting category already here for “volunteerism” All posts related to volunteer activities, and opportunities, can be found by clicking on that category.)
Now, an unusual number of people are finding this blog by searching for “reno, ufos”; they have been doing so before I even mentioned UFOs here. So, I hope to gather more “intel” related to possible UFO sightings here, as well as anything else that could be said to be “strange” or “mysterious”. There is already a link category at this blog called Reno x-Files, where relevant links take the curious to various resources involved in investigating such things in our area.
Finally, I will continue with a special focus on the Rebirth of Oxbox Nature Study Park. There will be additional articles and photos documenting that.
