FIFTY YEARS OF PRESERVING BEAUTY: PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY FENWICK AT NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN RENO

Fifty Years of Preserving Beauty: Photography by Jerry Fenwick is a small but stunning exhibit of nature images captured by a local author, historian and photographer.  The exhibit recently opened at the Nevada Historical Society, 1650 N. Virginia St., Reno and continues through Sept. 27, 2014.

Fenwick partnered with Neal Cobb to create the “Reno Now and Then” and “Reno Now and Then II” books, which show streets, parks, buildings and other landmarks as they looked in Reno’s past, how they look today — if they still exist — or what now stands in the same locations.  The books are fascinating for anyone who grew up in Reno or for anyone who’s new to the area and curious about its history.

Photography equipment from the collection of Jerry Fenwick

In the “Fifty Years of Preserving Beauty” exhibit, Fenwick’s focus is on animals, plants and landscapes that define Reno and its outskirts.  You’ll see hauntingly beautiful photos from nearby deserts, canyons, wetlands, the Truckee River downtown, Bartley Ranch, the University of Nevada, Reno campus and more.  With each photo is a short description, provided by Fenwick, of what he noticed when he shot the photo and why he knew that the image would be memorable.

The photos in the exhibit are available for sale, if you are interested in owning one.

My visit to the “Fifty Years of Preserving Beauty” exhibit wasn’t my first trip to the Nevada Historical Society.  I’ve been there several times before, to learn about life in the Silver State, from its rough-and-tumble beginnings to modern times.

The Nevada Historical Society at 1650 N. Virginia St., Reno

The Nevada Historical Society offers an abundance of photos and artifacts related to the region’s Native Americans, farmers, ranchers, miners, railroad builders, business tycoons and more.  Of course, there are exhibits about the gambling, marriage and divorce trades, brothels, entertainment and “everyday life” in Nevada.

Objects and "bling" from Nevada's early days through more modern times, as seen at Nevada Historical Society 

I especially like seeing images and objects from the days when Reno had a bustling downtown with a wide array of businesses.  Downtown Reno looks so different (and on some streets, so desolate) at present.

An old image of a bustling downtown Reno, as seen at Nevada Historical Society

Here’s a photo of the famous Mapes Hotel and Casino which once proudly stood on the corner of First and Virginia Streets in downtown Reno and was demolished on Super Bowl Sunday in 2000.

The stately Mapes Hotel and Casino, now gone from downtown Reno

Here’s one of a major flood in downtown Reno in the 1950s.

A sad, wet day in downtown Reno in the 1950s

There are lots more photos and stories for you to enjoy at the Nevada Historical Society.  I’m surprised that many people don’t seem to know anything about this nifty little history museum.  Some acquaintances who’ve lived in Reno for decades have asked me (a newcomer), "Where's that?" when I make mention of it.

Entrance to the Biggest Little City exhibit at Nevada Historical Society

This local cultural gem is located near the northwest end of the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) campus.  From the parking lot behind the Nevada Historical Society, you can see UNR’s Mackay Stadium.

View from the parking lot behind Nevada Historical Society

Admission to the Nevada Historical Society is just $4 for adults and free for members or for children age 17 and younger.  

For hours and other information about the Nevada Historical Society, call (775) 688-1190 or visit http://museums.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=446&Itemid=122

BONUS TRAVEL TIP!

One of my favorite history museums in the Western U.S. is the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), 860 Terry Ave. N in Seattle.  My family made numerous visits to the old MOHAI in the Montlake neighborhood, just off Lake Washington, when my kids were youngsters.

Last summer, we had the pleasure of checking out MOHAI’s new, improved location in a gorgeous, restored building on Seattle’s Lake Union.

The new and improved Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle

MOHAI features top-notch exhibits on “unforgettable stories of the men and women who built Seattle from wilderness to world city.”

The main exhibition hall at Seattle's MOHAI

And where else can you see the iconic Lincoln’s Toe Truck?  This truck actually used to cruise the streets of downtown Seattle and was a source of endless chuckles for my children and their classmates on school field trips.

The beloved Lincoln's Toe Truck at Seattle's MOHAI

For more information about MOHAI, call (206) 324-1126 or visit http://www.mohai.org/

Read More

LAUGHING PLANET CAFE COMES TO MIDTOWN RENO

My hairstylist recently predicted, “I think Reno is going to be the next Portland.”  I knew exactly what she meant: Certain Western U.S. cities such as Portland and San Francisco have long been like the teacher’s pets of food and travel writers.  It’s time to give someone else a chance to shine.

Now, as fate would have it, Laughing Planet Café, a Portland institution, has opened its first non-Oregon location, at 650 Tahoe St. in Reno’s Midtown neighborhood.

The new Laughing Planet Cafe at 650 Tahoe St. in Midtown Reno

Midtown is assuredly THE neighborhood to watch in Reno.  In recent months, a whole slew of new and promising businesses have opened in this area, just south of downtown, along South Virginia Street and its nearby side streets.

South Virginia Street in Midtown Reno

A quiet side street in Reno's Midtown

While I do think it’s time to get over the Portland worship, I do like The Rose City and I do like Reno’s new Laughing Planet Café.

The emphasis at Laughing Planet is on “farm to plate,” reasonably priced food, prepared to your specifications.  There are loads of healthy dishes on the menu, including vegan, Paleo-friendly and gluten-free.  Soups, salads, bowls, burritos and quesadillas come with a myriad of add-ins, salsas, sauces and sides.

Walk in and order at the counter, get a number for your table and relax in the dining room, which is decked out with plastic dinosaurs, cute curios and posters touting the Tour de Nez (bike race).

Ordering your food at Laughing Planet Cafe

The dining room at Laughing Planet Cafe

The vibe here is sort of “old hippie,” with fairly loud music by Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix.  Not a bad thing and it actually reminded me of some favorite haunts in Bellingham, Washington, a city that I like immensely.

Friendly dinosaur on a Laughing Planet Cafe table

Curios and art at Laughing Planet Cafe

I ordered a quesadilla called Amaizin’ Grace ($5.95) which the menu describes as “Food Alliance certified corn, Tillamook jack cheese, mild green chiles, pico de gallo and cilantro-pesto or chimichurri sauce.”  I also requested a side of black beans ($1) and an iced tea ($1.75 with free refills).

Amaizin' Grace quesadilla, black beans and iced tea

My hubby went with the Cheese, Pico and Chicken quesadilla ($6.25), described as “Large ‘dry-grilled’ flour tortilla, Tillamook jack cheese, pico de gallo, grilled natural chicken.”  He chose a side of brown rice ($2) and iced tea, as well.

Cheese, Pico and Chicken quesadilla, brown rice and iced tea

Our food was very fresh and satisfying, perfect for a light lunch.  On a return visit, when we’re hungrier, I’d like to try a hearty burrito or bowl.  Selections for the bowls include Thai, Cuban, Korean and something called “Soylent Green.” 

That last menu item is slightly scary.  You’ve seen the movie “Soylent Green,” right?  But right next to that item, the menu says, “Iron-Clad Guarantee.  Please do not pay for anything you don’t like!  Seriously!”  All righty, fair enough.

After eating our mid-day goodies at Laughing Planet Café, we took a short stroll around the block.  Laughing Planet is very near other busy food establishments in Midtown Reno, such as Great Full Gardens, Batch Cupcakes and Sup. 

Outside Great Full Gardens and Batch Cupcakes in Midtown Reno

Polyesther's and Sup in Midtown Reno

Sadly, it’s also near the Wild Orchid Cabaret and a quickie-loan office, the types of businesses that scream of Reno’s seedy downtown, rather than the up-and-coming Midtown.

Unappealing businesses on the edge of Midtown Reno

But change takes time.  Patience is a virtue.  Let’s wait and hope for the best.

To learn more about Laughing Planet Cafe in Midtown Reno, call (775) 360-2592 or visit http://laughingplanetcafe.com/author/laughing-planet/

Read More