When I was in Reno on my press trip, I was amused to learn the city had largely been built up around their divorce trade. People moved in for about a month, took lodging in hotels and homes, and waited for their divorce to become official. Over the years, as casinos and gaming arenas have dotted the city, Reno got the wrap for being a bastardized version of Las Vegas without the quality glitz and glam of Celine Dion, Circus Soleil, and its local lounge lizards and card sharks.
But what Reno offers that few bother to mention in their travelogues is a plethora of outdoor resources among a backdrop of snow-peaked mountaintops. Just 30-40 minutes from Tahoe, there's plenty of skiing, snowboarding, doglsedding, snowmobiling, concerts, and water sports abounding. My favorite find was the city's free kayaking park, running right downtown on the Truckee River. The $1.5 million investment offers Class 2 and 3 rapids with plenty of guided tours and classes including the beginner's Never Ever. The man-made rapids were impressive, almost as impressive as kayakers in wet suits showing off on a cold January day.
Wingfield Park is the hub of the activity where kayakers, tubers, water races, and completions take place year-round. There's also a free amphitheater and festivals that draw in thousands. We didn't have time for our own kayaking expedition, nor did I have any desire to brave the frigid waters. Regardless, I'd like to go back for a visit in warmer climate and test my skills all while taking in a unique tour of Reno's downtown.
Reno - Not Just Divorces and Casinos
Take the Guess Work Out of Picking the Best Seat
The last time we took the red-eye to Europe, I was so uncomfortable in my seat I cut the circulation off to my legs, and what felt like my head, after being twisted into a pile of knotted limbs and blankets. I kept waking up nauseaus and miserable, wishing for the whole experience to be over. Somehow we had managed to sit in a row of 5 seats and were smack in the middle of it all.
I wish I had known about Seat Guru back then and avoided my fate. I recently stumbled upon it and was intrigued by their tag-line: "The ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities and airline information." This handy site gives you the run-down on all the major, and even not so major, airlines and reviews of their seats. This includes leg room, in-seat power port locations, in-depth specific comments, mis-aligned window map, detailed seat map graphics and much more. The site relies heavily on customer reviews and supportive airline staff to identify coveted 'green' seats from dreaded 'red'.
But more than just seat reviews, this site also gives passengers the skinny on carry-on and checked-bag allowances, overweight fees, minors, infants, pets, phone numbers, and general information. This lets you find everything you need in one easy to navigate place.
Unfortunately, Seat Guru can't tell you if you'll be sitting near crying babies, neurotic passengers, and drunk seat-mates.
Innovative Jazz on the Vine Festival
I usually don't post press releases, but thought this vacation was especially innovative. Thought you guys might be interested in checking it out... ELKHART LAKE, WISCONSIN – Cool jazz, fine wines and farmhouse cheeses are a perfect combo. So are such pairings as pampering treatments at a state-of-the-art destination health spa and cocooning in luxurious guestrooms with cozy fireplaces. The common denominator for these pleasures—and more—is The Osthoff Resort, a Triple-A Four-Diamond property nestled alongside a pure spring-fed lake in southeast Wisconsin. They come together for The Osthoff’s sixth annual “Jazz on the Vine” festival (Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11). It’s a spectacular weekend of wine and music, featuring an array of more than 100 wines from three continents, including domestic wines from California, Washington and Oregon. Guests at the luxury resort enjoy sipping rare wines, sampling fine cuisine and listening to the musical styling of talented jazz musicians. A line-up of internationally known performers include R&B vocalist Ryan Shaw, currently nominated for a Grammy award, and Jesse J, named by Jazz Trax Fest as the “Best New Artist” of 2007. This year’s program of talented jazz musicians features: Joyce Cooling, May 9, 5:30-6:45 pm.This guitarist is a multiple award winner, including a 1999 Gibson Guitar Award as “Best Jazz Guitarist of the Year.” In 2002, her CD “Third Wish” earned her a California Music Award nomination as “Best Jazz Artist” and nominations at the Smooth Jazz Awards as “Best Female Artist” and “Best Guitarist.” Her CD, “This Girl’s Got to Play,” climbed to the Top 10 of the Billboard charts. Cooling has performed with such jazz giants as Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd. Kim Waters, May 9, 7:30-8:45 pm. “Simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists.” So declared Jazz Times Magazine of the performer who ranks among the top five best-selling instrumentalists in jazz. For close to two decades this saxophonist, composer and producer has been one of the premier architects of “Urban Smooth Jazz” and a consummate hit maker. Jesse Cook, May 9, 9:30-11.30 pm. Paris-born, Toronto-based, this virtuoso guitarist explores the outer limits of popular music. His sixth studio album, “Frontiers,” ranges from moody and introspective, to joyous and fiery. Jessy J, May 10, 2-3:30 pm. At age 26, Jessica Spinella (AKA Jessy J) already has worked professionally with such popular artists as Jessica Simpson, Michael Buble, Burt Bacharach and The Temptations. She has toured with jazz orchestras and with Michael Bolton—playing sax and singing backup vocals. She also was selected to perform at Carnegie Hall for an event featuring “tomorrow’s star musicians.” 3rd Force, May 10, 4:15-5:45 pm. This smooth-jazz ensemble, founded in 1994, exploded on the scene with a self-titled release that presented an extraordinary collection of seductive grooves and single melodies. The long-anticipated release of “Driving Force,” the band’s seventh recording, debuts a bigger sound that honors vintage Motor City funk and the original 70s urban cool. Ryan Shaw, May 10, 6:45-8:15 pm. This singer/songwriter is reviving for a new generation the passion and soul of the Golden Age of Rhythm & Blues (1960-1972). His background includes performing in gospel musicals and in New York clubs (rendering Detroit soul favorites by the Four Tops and Marvin Gay—plus fifties and sixties tunes that audiences could dance to, including favorites by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Dion and the Belmonts). Paul Brown’s Guitar Night featuring Kenny Rankin and Marc Antoine, May 10, 9-10:30 pm. Two-time Grammy Award winner Paul Brown jams with guests Kenny Rankin and Marc Antoine. Kenny Rankin is songwriter, guitarist and world-class singer (a guest on the “Tonight Show” more than 20 times). In 1995, Marc Antoine was R&R’s “Best New Artist of the Year.” His trademark style blends Mediterranean romance, vibrant melodies and infectious beats. Carmen & Kostia, May 11, 10:00 am-4:30 pm. This duo will entertain during a sumptuous Sunday brunch. After making a name for herself on the Los Angeles music scene, singer/songwriter Carmen Nickerson has worked with many Wisconsin-area bands including The Eddie Butts Band, Hot Sauce, and The Bystanders. Kostia Efimov, trained as a concert pianist in Russia, came to America to record with Narada Records. He blends a wide range of styles into his playing, including classical, jazz and pop. Except for Sunday’s brunch event, all performances are held (rain or shine) tented on the grounds of The Osthoff Resort. Early reservations are recommended. Wine samplings are included with the purchase of concert tickets. Tickets are priced at $65 per person, plus tax, for Friday evening (May 9) and $65 per person, plus tax, for Saturday afternoon and evening (May 10). A two-day ticket is $110 per person, plus tax; limited preferred seating available at $150 per person, plus tax. The “Jazz Brunch,” offered on Sunday, May 11, is priced at $24.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. This bountiful buffet includes smoked Atlantic salmon with traditional condiments, shrimp cocktail and Osthoff signature pâtè and terrines, plus a wide choice of salads and egg dishes. Also offered is peppercorn-crusted prime rib, slow roasted bone-in ham, herb-marinated grilled chicken breast, seared Atlantic salmon and orecchiette pasta with pecorino. The resort offers 245 spacious suites and guest rooms. One-, two- and three-bedroom suites range in size up to 2,300 square feet and feature a kitchen or kitchenette, dining and living room, TV, fireplace and private balcony. Guest rooms feature a king-size bed, private balcony, two-person whirlpool bath, wet bar and TV. The Osthoff also offers perfect getaways for couples. You can reserve a private suite at Aspira, Osthoff’s destination health and beauty spa, and invite its pampering staff to brings treatment and meals to you in the privacy of your own quarters. Or book a table alongside the picture windows of Lola’s on the Lake, Osthoff’s upscale dining room with dramatic views of Elkhart Lake and the wooded hills that surround it. A talented kitchen produces regional cuisine that incorporates local organic ingredients. Lola’s has a companionable bar with comfortable sofa seating. The Osthoff Resort is just an hour north of Milwaukee, less than two hours from Madison and about three hours from Chicago. For more information contact The Osthoff Resort, 101 Osthoff Avenue, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020-0151, 800-876-3399—or check the Web site at www.osthoff.com.
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