BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS IN SOUTH RENO

Every part of the United States of America has its own weather patterns and hazards — and its own beauty.  Today, I am so sad to see the hardships on the East Coast of the USA, with regard to Hurricane Sandy.

In all the places I have lived throughout the years, I've experienced everything from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to blizzards, ice storms, wind storms, floods, mudslides, earthquakes, wildfires, etc.  Nature can be both terrifying and mesmerizing.  You have to appreciate the moments or days when "all is well" and you have the very special privilege of being able to witness amazing scenery.

Today, here in South Reno, I took a walk and snapped these fabulous photos of colorful foliage, against the dramatic backgrounds of the Sierra Mountain Range and a brilliantly blue sky.

God bless the USA!

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CAR WASH COMPARISONS IN SOUTH RENO

A trip to a car wash is not high on my list of fun things to do, but sometimes it's a necessary evil.  Especially because we have hard water — and because putting soapy water into storm drains is bad for the environment — my family does the right thing and uses commercial car washes. 

Since moving to South Reno, we have mostly relied on Squeaky's Car Wash, 550 S. Meadows Pkwy., to keep our vehicles' exteriors clean, while vacuuming the interiors ourselves.  

Squeaky's uses high water pressure to blast the dirt and crud off your vehicle.  Instead of your car being dragged along on a conveyer belt, it sits inside the washing bay while the water-pressure contraptions move back and forth.  The same machines apply a bit of wax.  When the washing and waxing have commenced, you pull forward slowly through a giant blower drawer.  It's quick, efficient and cheap.  A basic wash with light wax usually costs $6 or 7. 

But then I found a coupon, in one of those ValPack mailers, for a free basic wash at Hutch's Mission Car Wash, 6355 S. McCarran Blvd. in South Reno.  (It's behind Bank of The West, at the corner of McCarran and Kietzke.) 

The coupon made it seem like this would be an upscale car wash, perhaps along the lines of the fantastic Rose Hill Car Wash in Kirkland, Washington.  http://rosehillcarwash.com/

Around Seattle, Rose Hill Car Wash was known as "The Nordstrom of Car Washes," and deseverdly so.  You could select from a number of car wash packages, with a basic exterior wash priced at $8.95.  I was always pleased with Rose Hill's Gold Wash package ($21.95). This was an interior/exterior package with tire and rim cleaning, Blue Coral Treatment and air freshener.  It was a thorough wash with soft brushes, waxing, hand drying and some detailing.  The waiting room at Rose Hill also had a gift and snack shop with funny greeting cards and hard-to-find candies such as Chunky bars. 

So, off I went to Hutch's Mission Car Wash.  

I learned that Hutch's basic exterior wash-and-dry stuff was done by hand and that there was a very quick wipedown of the dashboard, too, for $9.99.  I didn't have to wait long for my car to be ready and the results were pretty good.  I also was amused to see that the gift and snack shop at Hutch's featured opportunities for staredowns with giant animal heads. 

However, when I asked at the counter for a list of other car wash packages (meaning with interior and exterior cleaning and waxing), the cashier said she didn't have one and that I could find that info online.  I noticed a sign outside of Hutch's that said a wash and wax package costs $49.  Yikes, that's not cheap.  And when I looked online, I did not find a Web site for Hutch's but found a number of negative reviews from people who'd splurged on the $49 package and wished they had not. 

Unless I can find South Reno's answer to "The Nordstrom of Car Washes," I will probably stick with using Squeaky's Car Wash and my own trusty vacuum cleaner. 

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HAPPY HUNTING AT JUNKEE IN MIDTOWN RENO

Will you be "dressed to impress" for Halloween?  With the spooky holiday coming up fast, you could run to one of those temporary costume stores like Halloween Express or Spirit, but I wouldn't recommend it. That is, unless you like overpriced, tacky costumes. 

Where would I send you to find a great costume?  My choice would be Junkee Clothing Exchange, 960 S. Virginia St. in Reno's Midtown neighborhood.  Junkee is not a costume shop, per se, but it has a huge selection of used and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories, as well as some commercially-made Halloween outfits and props. 

On a recent weekend, lots of folks appeared to be having a blast at Junkee, cobbling together crazy costumes or just looking for cool, retro fashions.  

Want to look like a lounge lizard?  There's a section for that.  Want to look like a hippie?  Ditto.  There's a lot of stuff that would work for the Steampunk look. There's even a section devoted to "ugly Christmas sweaters."  Attention, Mark Darcy's mother!

Another large, separate wing at Junkee offers antique home furnishings, art and jewelry. 

Junkee is a member of the MidTown District, a diverse group of local retailers, restaurants, service providers and arts organizations striving to regentrify the Midtown neighborhood, which is south of downtown Reno.  Or for those who balk at the word "regentrify," they're aiming to make the district a more vibrant area that will be a big draw for both Reno locals and tourists.  

I applaud their efforts, but feel they have some obstacles.  Some nearby establishments — porn shops — don't exactly scream the word "classy."  These businesses are not members of the MidTown District alliance, but seeing them next to, or across the street from participating merchants is an eyesore.

Finding parking in Midtown is also a problem.

But Junkee is on the right track, presenting clothing that is different in a fun way, at reasonable prices and in a cheerful atmosphere.  When Halloween is long gone, they'll still be there!  And you can think of them as being part of the "green" movement, too.  Recycling interesting clothing helps the environment and makes people happy.

For more information about Junkee, call (775) 322-5865 or visit http://www.junkeeclothingexchange.com/ .

To learn more about the MidTown District members, visit  http://www.midtowndistrictreno.com/ .

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DAY TRIP FROM SOUTH RENO: ADORABLE TRUCKEE, CA

The cute little town of Truckee, California is a great spot for a day trip, if you're bored with Reno and want a change of pace.  Less than an hour's drive from South Reno (off I-80 West), Truckee has a quaint, clean downtown with an eclectic array of places to eat and shop. 

My most recent trek to Truckee was last weekend — perfect timing, weather-wise!  It was cool but sunny, whereas just yesterday (and again, today), schools in that area were closed due to snow.  

Heading up to Truckee with my husband and daughter, we looked forward to lunch at  Martha's Kitchen, a Mexican restaurant on Donner Lake Road, which had high marks from Yelp reviewers.  Upon locating Martha's, we were bummed to find out that it's closed until June. 

But all was not lost.  We instead tried El Toro Bravo, on Donner Pass Road in downtown Truckee:  http://www.eltorobravotruckee.com/ .

Our combo meals were awesome, our waitress was delightful — and we even heard someone singing in the kitchen.  Smiles all around! 

Truckee on Dwellable

Strolling through downtown, we got a kick out of Truckee Variety, an old-fashioned toy and crafts store which — as an added bonus — sells some wacky items from Seattle's Archie McPhee, a store our kids really dug when they were younger.   See: http://www.mcphee.com/shop/ .

On past trips to Truckee, we've tasted some decadent fudge at the Sweets candy shop.  There's actually another Sweets in South Reno, near Cost Plus World Market and Bed Bath and Beyond, if we ever hanker for Sweets fudge but aren't inclined to drive up to Truckee. 

The original location of the fabulous Squeeze In is in downtown Truckee.  The Bar of America, which was very lively on Saturday afternoon, looks like it could be interesting, too.

To learn more about the unique shops in historic downtown Truckee, visit http://www.historictruckee.com/shop.php .


The Truckee.com Web site is another good resource for newbies or return visitors to Truckee.  It has lists of where to play, stay, dine and find deals or special events.  Upcoming kid stuff in Truckee includes trick-or-treating on Oct. 26 and a Big Truck Day on Oct. 27.  There will also be food-and-wine and all-ages holiday events in November.

For more information, visit http://www.truckee.com/ .

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GALENA CREEK RECREATION AREA: A PEACEFUL RETREAT IN SOUTH RENO

What a difference a few days can make!  With today's snowfall and fierce winds on Mt. Rose — and wind and rain on South Reno's valley floor — it's probably not the best time to visit the Galena Creek Recreation Area.  But as of this past Friday, the weather was still glorious at this peaceful and picturesque nature retreat, just a 10-or-15 minute drive from The Summit shopping center. 

Galena Creek Recreation Area, adjacent to Galena Creek Regional Park, is situated within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The area offers places to hike, snowshoe, fish and learn about nature.  

There is ample outdoor signage about the history, geography and culture of the region, as well as a small but lovely museum-like building, the Galena Creek Visitor Center.  

Admission to the recreation area and to the Galena Creek Visitor Center is free; donations are welcome.  Be aware, however, that the visitor center is now on a winter schedule, open only Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Inside the visitor center, you'll find exhibits about mining, local plants and animals, including auditory and tactile features:  Push buttons to hear the sounds of footsteps crunching on a trail, rain pouring down, wind and thunder.  Feel animal pelts.  Learn the difference between native and invasive plant species. 

Great Basin Naturalists conduct kids' camps and all-ages programs such as bird-watching and astronomy, in and around the visitor center.  Schedules are posted in the building. 

Also at the visitor center, you can purchase books, greeting cards and calendars depicting local wildlife.  Plus, free maps and brochures are available,  to help you safely navigate the park. 

The Galena Creek Recreation Area and Galena Creek Visitor Center are located at 18250 Mt. Rose Highway in South Reno.  For more information, call (775) 849-4948 or visit 

http://www.galenacreekvisitorcenter.org/ .

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OCTOBER FUN AT RENO'S FERRARI FARMS

If you have young children, a trip to a pumpkin farm is an October "must."  My family's all-time favorite was Bengtson's Farm in Homer Glen, Illinois, http://www.pumpkinfarm.com/ .
This spacious, well-kept farm has lots of animals,  pony rides, hayrides, a corn maze, Haunted Barn, Fun Barn, Halloween shop and more. 

In South Reno, it pains me to see the fake pumpkin patch on South Virginia Street, across from Walmart.  Most of the year, the Toll House Pumpkin Patch is an empty lot.  They cart in some pumpkins, set up some bouncy houses and call it a pumpkin patch. 

It's good for kids to see where food comes from.  They develop respect for nature and for the hard-working people who plant and harvest the crops.  Ferrari Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, on Mill Street just East of Rock Boulevard in Reno, is a no-frills farm, not as grand as Bengtson's, but it is a real, working farm. 

This past beautiful Sunday afternoon, Ferrari Farms was packed with both kids and grown-ups, enjoying hayrides, a bouncy house, the corn maze and a few farm animals, but mostly just scurrying around, joyfully searching for perfect pumpkins and goofy gourds. 

What's nice about this farm is that parking is free, admission is free and there are only modest charges for the hayrides and bouncy house.  You can bring the kids to buy a pumpkin or two, show them pumpkins actually growing out of the ground and not spend a fortune. 

What I'd really like to see, at Ferrari Farms or any pumpkin farms that welcome the public during the month of October, is a true educational component. 

It would be great to see signs with fun facts such as how long it takes to grow a pumpkin, what kind of soil is best, how much water is needed, etc.  Information about the nutritional value of pumpkins, kid-friendly pumpkin recipes and pumpkin-carving safety tips would be interesting and useful, too.  If farm owners don't have the time or resources to present such exhibits, perhaps high school or college students could be given opportunities to volunteer and share their knowledge. 

Ferrari Farms does not have a Web site but you can call (775) 856-4962 for more information. 

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BLIND ONION PIZZA PUB: GREAT LUNCH AND GROOVY LOGO

I was born and raised in a serious pizza town.  Chicago has the best pizza in the U.S.  After living (and eating pizzas) in other regions — including  Dallas, Salt Lake City and Seattle — I've learned not to expect Chicago pizza elsewhere.  But in every location, I stubbornly seek pizza that is at least better-than-average.   It's a pleasant surprise when such "better-than-average" pizza offers good value, too.

The lunch deal at The Blind Onion, 6405 S. Virginia St. in South Reno, is outrageous — and guess what?  Pizza at The Blind Onion, although not equal to Chicago pizza, meets my approval for pizza in the Wild West.

On my first visit to this tiny pizza pub, at the busy corner of South Virginia and Neil Street, I ordered the "Soda and Slice" ($5).  This featured a one-topping pizza (extra toppings, 50 cents each) and a large, refillable soft drink.   I was shocked to see that the "slice" was large enough to be two slices.

My toppings were Italian sausage and mushroom.  The topping portions were adequate and very tasty and the crust won points for having a buttery flavor and a nice crunch at the bottom — at least in the middle of the pizza. The outer edges of the crust were "bready" for someone like me, who grew up on super-thin-crust Chicago pizza.  (Yes, you read that correctly.  It is a common misconception that all Chicago pizza is deep-dish or stuffed.  Not true.  There are three kinds of fabulous pizza in Chicago: thin-crust, deep-dish and stuffed.)

I'm not saying that the thick edges on The Blind Onion's pizza didn't taste good.  The overall flavor of the crust was really nice; I'm just not into a lot of bread.  I noticed there were jugs of honey on each table.   Perhaps some folks like to use that to make the excess crust into a dessert.  I was content to stick with shakers of Parmesan cheese and oregano, which made my pizza more zesty.

It was also weird to see that pizza at The Blind Onion is served with little cups of Ranch dressing. I've never seen that in my life.  It must be a Portland thing!  From what I read on the back of a take-out menu, The Blind Onion was born in Portland, Oregon and then branched out to Vancouver, Washington — two cool Pacific Northwest towns.  (Not as cool as Seattle, naturally.  Or Chicago.  "Just sayin'.")

As for atmosphere, the South Reno Blind Onion is dimly lit and very casual. The bar dominates the room and there are a few tables.

Two Blind Onion locations in nearby Sparks, Nevada are said to have party rooms.

But although the South Reno Blind Onion doesn't look that much like a kid-friendly place, their groovy logo summons smiles from kids of all ages. The Blind Onion's name is Fred.  

And along with official illustrations of Fred, children's drawings of The Blind Onion are plastered all over the walls of this pizza pub.  Irresistibly cute.

The take-out menu for The Blind Onion describes it as "Your Neighborhood Pizza Joint."  While I live much closer to Lamppost Pizza, near Damonte Ranch, I was sorely disappointed by the pizza there and would absolutely travel farther to The Blind Onion for better-than-average pizza and the great lunch special.

For more information about The Blind Onion, call (775) 351-2000 or visit

http://www.blindonion.com/ .

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NOTHING BUNDT CAKES: SWEET RETRO TREATS IN SOUTH RENO

In this day and age, one wouldn't expect to see a store that sells Bundt cakes exclusively.  Yet there is such a store in South Reno.  Nothing Bundt Cakes is located at 5051 S. McCarran Blvd., in the Smith Ridge shopping center, near the always-hopping Trader Joe's. 

Bundt cakes were all the rage in the 1970s — and then sort of disappeared.  Now I'm thinking of a scene from the 2002 romantic comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."  When Ian Miller's very prim mother presented a Bundt cake at a Portokalos family gathering, Toula's ebullient Greek mom was confused by the sight of the cake "with a hole in it."  However, at Nothing Bundt Cakes, customers seem to get a mood lift from the retro desserts. 

The distinctively-shaped cakes, baked in pans that resemble old-fashioned jello molds, come in 10 flavors: Red Velvet, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon, Marble, Pecan Praline, Carrot, White White Chocolate and Cinnamon Swirl, plus a special Flavor of the Month.  

Frosting at Nothing Bundt Cakes is made with cream cheese and real butter. The Signature frosting is thicker.  Drizzle frosting is more lightly applied. 

The cakes can be customized with decorations for holidays, birthdays, weddings or other occasions. 

Sizes include 8 and 10-inch cakes ($18.50-$39.50 depending on whether they're just frosted or decorated); Bundlets (personal size, $3.99 each or also available in towers or bundles); Bundtinis (bite-sized, sold by the dozen at $16.50).  Tiered cakes are also available and you can mix and match flavors. 

I tried a Lemon Bundlet.  The moment I opened the box, the fresh lemon aroma was amazing.  The cake was incredibly moist and delicious and the frosting was great — indulgent, but not overly sweet. 

My family doesn't eat a lot of cake and we all have our own flavor preferences, so I could see Bundtlets as a good solution when we're in the mood for something sweet but not so much that it will just go to waste — or waist, ha ha. 

South Reno's Nothing Bundt Cakes is part of a chain that began in Las Vegas and now can be found throughout the U.S.  For more information, call (775) 827-5151 or visit 

http://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/ .

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RENO CELTIC CELEBRATION AT BARTLEY RANCH REGIONAL PARK

My hometown of Chicago celebrated St. Patrick's Day in a big way. The Chicago River was dyed green and there were two great parades — Downtown and South Side. 

The 22nd annual Reno Celtic Celebration was held Oct. 6-7 at South Reno's Bartley Ranch Regional Park.  At first, it didn't occur to me why this fest would take place in the fall. But according to the event program, the Celtic Celebration was launched by the now defunct Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel to coincide with Samhain, the beginning of winter on the Celtic calendar.  Samhain was the equivalent of the Celtic New Year and the predecessor of what we now know as Halloween.  

I also learned that the Reno Celtic Celebration formerly operated at the Reno Livestock Events Center and then became part of Reno's July tradition of Artown.  The Celtic Celebration moved to Bartley Ranch in 2007.  It's a great location for this event, with lots of room for guests to roam and an excellent outdoor concert venue, the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater. 

On Saturday's visit to the Celtic Celebration, we arrived just in time to watch and listen to a pipe band and a rousing set by Tempest, a very energetic, Oakland, California-based Celtic rock band.

Several Celtic dance schools performed on a smaller stage. 

Strolling around the grounds, it was fun to see many guests in historic costumes — some very impressive — as well as members of various clans wearing their families' tartans. 

Vendors sold Irish and Scottish goods.  It was unexpected to see a Teriyaki stand next to one selling fish and chips. 

Celtic animals and British cars were on display, as well. 

Admission to the Celtic Celebration was $10 per person for one day or $15 for a two-day pass.  For me, a few hours was long enough to check out some entertainment there, but I can see how groups of friends and relatives with ties to the British Isles could turn this into a two-day reunion.  

I also liked that Bartley Ranch is a clean, relaxing, attractive environment in which to hold an ethnic festival.  The Eldorado's Great Italian Festival was also underway this past weekend, in downtown Reno.  I went last year and was amused by a Frank Sinatra impersonator, but not enamored with the seedy surroundings. 

The Reno Celtic Celebration program noted that this non-profit cultural organization's mission is to "share the Celtic Heritage with the community through entertainment and education" and also described the event as "a community and family event that is suitable and safe for all ages and sensibilities."  I'll vote for that!

For more information, visit 

http://www.renoceltic.org/ .

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SOUTH RENO'S LA POSADA REAL: BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND

If you've moved around a lot  — as my family has — you know how great it feels to find just the right places to shop or dine, only to relocate again and hunt for new favorites.  It takes trial and error.  Tips from neighbors or co-workers aren't always helpful because they come from different backgrounds and have different expectations. 

Back in Washington state, our "go-to" spot for Mexican dining was Ixtapa in Duvall, a small town on Seattle's Eastside.  The food was as authentic and awesome as just about any we've had in the U.S., including San Diego. 

Our first foray into Mexican dining, here in South Reno, was at La Posada Real, 5270 Longley Ln.  Being "Ixtapa Snobs," we agreed it was pretty good, but didn't quite measure up to what we'd had before. 

Then we tried Murrieta's, on South Virginia Street near Patriot Boulevard.  Our first two experiences were positive, but the third was atrocious.  On that visit, service was very inattentive and my leathery chicken fajitas seemed to have been reheated, possibly more than once. 

As bad as that was, Serrano's at The Summit was worse.  The salsa and enchilada sauce looked and tasted like plain old ketchup.  Not even Heinz ketchup, but a watered-down bargain brand.  We didn't shed a tear when Serrano's closed soon afterward.  The spot is now occupied by The Tuscan Tomato, which we've not yet tried. 

Before revisiting La Posada Real, we also sampled Mexican food at Toucan Charlie's Buffet at Atlantis.  Their Mexican items were all right — not outstanding. The buffet, in general, was odd, with Mexican and Asian choices far outweighing American.  For instance, I ate a side of stir-fried Asian vegetables with a slice of prime rib because there weren't any plain options like broccoli or green beans near the carving station. 

However, let's get back to Mexican food and another trip to La Posada Real.  I'm not sure what changed in the past year but it was so much better the second time around.  Is the place under new management?  Have we just forgotten how much we loved Ixtapa in Duvall, Washington?   I don't know, but for now, I think La Posada Real might just be South Reno's best bet for Mexican food. 

Lunch combinations at La Posada Real are not inexpensive but the portions are dinner-sized and the quality is way above-average. 

One chile relleno with an enchilada (choice of cheese, chicken or beef) costs $11.25 and comes with rice, choice of beans (refried, whole or black) and lettuce and tomato.   Sour cream costs $1 extra. 

One tamal with choice of enchilada, rice and beans costs $10.25.  Larger or smaller combos are also available. 

Complimentary chips and salsa at La Posada Real are fresh and delicious.  It irks me when Mexican restaurants charge extra for this or use chips from a bag.  One thing I'd add — and yes, this goes back again to my love of Ixtapa in Duvall — is that it's nice to get two types of salsa, "hot" and "hotter," to alternate between the two.  La Posada Real's salsa is addictive but has a powerful kick. 

Service and decor at La Posada Real are pleasant.  The dining room has a sleek, modern look, the music isn't overly loud, etc. While the nice weather lasts, you can also sit outside in the shadow of Mount La Posada. (Okay, I don't know what that looming mountain is actually called, but Mount La Posada seems like a logical name.) 

Sometimes you "can't go home" to your favorite ethnic restaurants, but La Posada Real in South Reno could maybe be a home away from home. 

For more information, call (775) 852-1227 or visit  http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Posada-Real/113644515337117 .

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