2014 PumpkinPalooza in Victorian Square in Sparks, NV, October 26 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Last year we informed you about the PumpkinPalooza in Sparks at Victorian Square. It was a great time and the various carnival games and free walk throughs of the train and readings at the Glendale Schoolhouse (built in 1864) managed through the Sparks Heritage Museum kept our kids busy and we had a lot of fun. Overall, the PumpkinPalooza is a great event to attend each year with friends and family of all ages.

Here’s what you can expect if you decide to attend this year:

Sunday, October 26 – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Build and race a pumpkin in the Pumpkin Derby
• Participate in the children’s costume parade
• Enjoy storytelling in the Haunted Schoolhouse
• Play carnival style games
• Compete in the pie-eating, pumpkin seed spitting, and mummy wrapping contests
• Enter their pumpkins in the beauty contest
• Enjoy live music

And so much more!

Last year, more than 5,000 people attended the 2nd annual event and this year the event appears poised to grow exponentially. And it’s all benefiting the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living. For more information, visit www.pumpkinpalooza.org.

Will you be attending the PumpkinPalooza this year? What are you looking forward to during this year’s PumpkinPalooza event? Please leave us a comment below and let us know.

About Independent Living for People of Disabilities

As a former employee of a large national organization that serves people with disabilities, this event means a lot to me, personally. The disability movement is one of the last movements fighting for civil rights in much the same ways that people of color did back in the 50s and 60s and women did in the 20s. There is push today for people with disabilities to live in an inclusive environment, within their communities and not in an institutional setting. Please notice that I make the choice not to call people with disabilities, “disabled people”, “handicapped” or going to the extreme of using the word “retarded“. People with disabilities are just people, like you and me. They just happen to have a disability and are fully entitled to respect, dignity and equality like any other person. Many people with disabilities can learn life skills that can enable them to live in our communities and give back in ways that are meaningful and benefit the communities we live in. The Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living is “dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with all disabilities by promoting independence through self empowerment, choice and community involvement” and “each person, regardless of the severity of his or her disability, has the potential to grow, develop, and share fully the joys and responsibilities of our society.” That is something that I can stand behind and gladly donate to by attending this event.

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The Summit’s Pink Pumpkin Festival & Sidewalk Sale

Farmers Market, sales and activities support breast cancer awareness

Our friends over at The Summit shared some great information with us here at Windy Pinwheel about a great fall event happening this Saturday to support the effort to find a cure for breast cancer. As October is nationally known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this is a great cause to get behind. Please come out and support this event this weekend and be sure to spread the word to everyone you know.

The Summit and Renown Children’s Hospital invite families to come out for a day full of autumn harvest fun on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the center plaza. The Pink Pumpkin Festival and Sidewalk Sale will support breast cancer awareness and will benefit the Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. The event is free and open to the public. Donations for breast cancer patient assistance are encouraged.

Event activities that day will include a sidewalk sale, live entertainment, fall farmers market vendors, pink Porcelain Doll pumpkins for sale, face painting, activities for children, health information booths, contests and recyclable bag/gift card giveaways.

Participants can enjoy food and drinks from various vendors at the market, which will feature fresh, local fall produce including grapes, apples, corn, potatoes, garlic, onions, squash, eggs, local honey and more. Also, all guests can enter to win prizes from The Summit, Renown Health and the farmers market.

The pink pumpkin patch, sponsored by Moana Nursery, will feature decorative gourds and pumpkins, including the popular Porcelain Doll pumpkins. Moana Nursery has partnered with The Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation, an organization created in 2012, to aid in the fight against breast cancer. A percentage of proceeds from every pink pumpkin sold this year will go towards organizations involved in breast cancer research.

In conjunction with the event, The Summit will also host its first-ever, center-wide Sidewalk Sale. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., shoppers will enjoy the one-day, one-time only sale where exclusive retailers will display racks with sale items in front of their stores. The sidewalk sale will also feature stores including but not limited to Ann Taylor, Claire’s, GAP, Old Navy, Orvis and Talbots.

“This event and sidewalk sale are designed to kick-off breast cancer awareness month in Reno,” said Dan Davis, marketing manager at The Summit. “Many stores and restaurants will provide special pink products and offers, as well as showcase sale items from the Summer. My hope is those interested in spreading awareness will find that perfect ‘pink’ item to wear or display throughout the entire month.”

Benefitting from much of the event activities, the Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund helps to ease the financial and emotional burden on uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients throughout northern Nevada.

“Our patient assistance funds benefit those in our area who are battling cancer while struggling with financial hardships,” Joel Muller, vice president of the Renown Health Foundation, said. “These dollars help to cover desperately needed prescription, care and travel expenses for our patients. Renown Health is grateful to The Summit for its help and to be a part of this event once again this year.”

October is “Go Pink” month at The Summit.

Go Pink at your favorite stores and restaurants in October! Join The Summit and Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund in a month-long celebration of hope, strength and survival. Plus, for every Facebook “Like” for The Summit during the month of October, The Summit will donate $1 to the Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, up to a total of $1,000 and each “Like” must be a new “Like” to be counted.

Garden of Hope in the Pink Plaza throughout the month of October

Write a message of hope, love and healing to honor someone you know touched by breast cancer. Then tie your note to the branches of the plants and trees in the Garden of Hope located in the Plaza between Vans and Tilly’s. Visit the garden throughout October for reflection or encouragement. Sponsored by Moana Nursery.

For more information regarding events happening at The Summit, please visit TheSummitonline.com/Reno

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A healthy sports rivalry to win annual bragging rights for the largest rivalry trophy in all of college sports between the Nevada Wolf Pack and UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.

If you aren’t already, become a part of a great rivalry in college sports by backing the Nevada Wolf Pack. Come out to watch the University of University of Nevada Wolf Pack (Nevada) vs. University of Nevada, Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels (UNLV, also known in some circles as “Nevada Southern”) battle it out as a part of the Nevada Governor’s Series this Saturday, October 26, 2013 at Mackay Stadium on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

If you have navigated the pages of Windy Pinwheel, you probably know by now that we are Nevada Proud and Battle Born for the Wolf Pack. Please notice that we are the correct Wolf Pack spelled with two words and not the North Carolina State Wolfpack; besides their colors are backwards. Who puts the color red/scarlet on a wolf mascot? It is just plain wrong.

This Saturday is the annual battle for the Fremont Cannon, college football’s largest and most expensive “trophy”. “Today’s cannon is a replica of a gun that accompanied Captain John C. Fremont on his expedition through Oregon, Nevada and California in 1843-44… reconstructed in 1970 as the gift of the Nevada Mines Division of Kennecott Copper Corporation to the students of the two campuses of the University of Nevada.” Each year the Nevada Wolf Pack and the UNLV Rebels “battle” it out on one of the two turf fields that exist in Nevada to play college football. According to NevadaWolfPack.com, “The [Nevada] Wolf Pack won the first game between the universities in 1969, but the Rebels were the first team to capture the cannon in 1970 by a score of 42-20.” Ever since, the Nevada Wolf Pack have fought to keep the cannon blue. “Overall, UNR Nevada Wolf Pack leads UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 22-15.” writes Las Vegas Weekly on October 10, 2012 and Nevada won in 2012, making the total 23-15.

Respecting the Fremont Cannon

One bit of history you may not know, if you are not familiar with the Fremont Cannon, is that in 2000, when UNLV won the game, students stormed the field after UNLV won back the Fremont Cannon after several years and in the excitement, the cannon fell out of the hands of the students and broke into pieces shortly after it was spray painted red (Source: Las Vegas Weekly). This was the period in which I was enrolled at the University of Nevada, from 1999 through 2003. I was terribly disappointed in what had happened and hope that it doesn’t happen ever again.

We have a cannon to defend. We must keep it blue and in the hands of the Nevada Wolf Pack. I am not suggesting that we are more responsible with this majestic and iconic symbol of what it means to be a Nevada college student. However, what I am suggesting is that we need to defend the Fremont Cannon with all of the heart and passion we can muster each and every year and devoted fans of the Wolf Pack.

It’s truly an honor for the Wolf Pack to play for such a great college sports trophy. It is an enduring symbol of what it means to go to and be an alumnus of Nevada.

Go Pack!

Here’s a great video to get you pumped up about the game this weekend showcasing the The Governor’s Series from YouTube. Enjoy.

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2013 PumpkinPalooza in Victorian Square in Sparks, NV, October 19-20.

Last year we helped inform you about the PumpkinPalooza in Sparks at Victorian Square. Even though it was a bit windy and chilly (the first cold snap of the fall season), we still had a great time and the various carnival games and free walk throughs of the train and readings at the Glendale Schoolhouse (built in 1864) managed through the Sparks Heritage Museum kept our kids busy and we had a lot of fun. Overall, the PumpkinPalooza is a great event to attend with friends and family of all ages.

Here’s what you can expect if you decide to attend this year:

Saturday, October 19 – 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

• Watch zombie cheerleaders
• Enjoy the official Lighting of the Pumpkins
• Dance the night away at the Zombie Prom (high school students)

Sunday, October 20 – 11:00 – 5:00 p.m.

• Build and race a pumpkin in the Pumpkin Derby



• Participate in the children’s costume parade
• Enjoy storytelling in the Haunted School House
• Visit with fortune-tellers
• Play carnival style games from Circus Circus
• Compete in pie-eating, pumpkin seed spitting, marshmallow shooting and mummy wrapping contests
• Live music

And so much more!

Last year, more than 1,500 people attended the inaugural event and this year the event is expected to grow exponentially. And the event benefits the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living. For more information, visit www.pumpkinpalooza.org.

Will you be attending the PumpkinPalooza this year? What are you looking forward to during this year’s PumpkinPalooza event? Please leave us a comment below and let us know.

About Independent Living for People of Disabilities

As a former employee of a large national organization that serves people with disabilities, this event means a lot to me, personally. The disability movement is one of the last movements fighting for civil rights in much the same ways that people of color did back in the 50s and 60s and women did in the 20s. There is push today for people with disabilities to live in an inclusive environment, within their communities and not in an institutional setting. Please notice that I make the choice not to call people with disabilities, “disabled people”, “handicapped” or going to the extreme of using the word “retarded“. People with disabilities are just people, like you and me. They just happen to have a disability and are fully entitled to respect, dignity and equality like any other person. Many people with disabilities can learn life skills that can enable them to live in our communities and give back in ways that are meaningful and benefit the communities we live in. The Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living is “dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with all disabilities by promoting independence through self empowerment, choice and community involvement” and “each person, regardless of the severity of his or her disability, has the potential to grow, develop, and share fully the joys and responsibilities of our society.” That is something that I can stand behind and gladly donate to simply by attending this year’s event.

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By sponsoring this article, your sponsorship will display for a period of 180 days (6 months). If, for any reason, and it is up to the discretion of the authors of Windy Pinwheel, we feel content linked to or the name provided does not coincide with the objectives of this site for our audience we will issue a refund and pull the sponsorship of the article. This action does not limit you from sponsoring an article on our site again. However, by sponsoring again, we will issue the same review criteria as the prior sponsorship and if it fails, we will follow the same process as before and issue a refund and pull down the sponsorship. We truly appreciate the support of our audience and hope you can help offset our costs of operating this site by sponsoring our site articles.

For all reviews, please exercise discretion. If the sponsor of the article is in conflict of the topic of the article, we will pull down the sponsorship to remove any conflict of interest with the article at-hand. For instance, there is an article about a hamburger restaurant and a competing hamburger restaurant sponsors the article; we will pull the sponsorship and issue a refund.

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Music, carnival games, pumpkins, pumpkin pie eating contest, pumpkin seed spitting contest, steam engine locomotive tours and book readings for kids. A great time had by all standards at the PumpkinPalooza.

Recently we posted about the PumpkinPalooza at Victorian Square in Sparks, Nevada. Yesterday, both Windy Pinwheel families attended the PumpkinPalooza event. This was the first annual PumpkinPalooza hosted by the Nevada Center for Independent Living. It was a good showing for a first annual event just before the Halloween holiday.

We arrived around 3:00 PM and the affair ran from noon to 7:00 PM, so the festivities were already in full swing. Pumpkin-designed balloons as well as black and orange plain balloons were in many places and we could even see the balloons as we were driving in on the freeway near John Ascuaga’s Nugget when arriving to attend the PumpkinPalooza event.

The weather, I’ll admit was a factor in attendance yesterday. The first cold snap of the season decended upon the Truckee Meadows yesterday and it really impacted the event. The wind was a force to be reckoned with as it pushed the tents covering the carnival games that were held down by sand bags and by the time we were leaving the event around 4:30 PM, the volunteers, mostly from the University of Nevada, Reno, ROTC, Delta Delta Delta sorority and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity were taking them down.

It brought a sense of pride to see a local soroity and fraternity volunteering at this event, as the Windy Pinwheel authors were all Greeks during our undergraduate college experience. We are each SigEp (University of Nevada, Reno), Delta Gamma (University of Nevada, Reno) and Alpha Chi Omega (San Diego State University) alumni.

We started off by touring the area. There was a lot to see and do that we wanted to scope it out first. We headed over by the Sparks Heritage Museum that hosts “a vintage steam locomotive, cupola caboose and Pullman executive car… displayed along with a depot replica, the restored one room Glendale Schoolhouse and a monument to the Chinese rail workers.” (Source: Sparks Heritage Museum website). The train was open and free to walk through. However, there were no guided tours, they were self-paced. My son absolutely loves trains so it was an experience we couldn’t pass up.

Next, we headed over to the Glendale Schoolhouse (built in 1864). It was a very rare occasion because in all my 30+ years on this Earth living in the Reno/Sparks area, minus a couple when my wife and I were in Las Vegas for a year and Washington, DC for five more, I have never seen this one-room school house open to the public. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. We all went inside. While in the schoolhouse, a local educator was present and reading books to children. This was too cool. It was an experience I will never forget, seeing my kids sitting in those old antique desks listening during story time. When the teacher was done reading her book, she gave away some books to those listening. We chose Ox-Cart Man. This experience truly made my day and a memory for me with my family.

When storytime was over, we headed back over to the carnival games and played a couple. “Tip the Troll” and the softball toss into the milk can were my kids’ favorities. Each of the kids got a reward of a Dum Dum sucker or a plastic spider ring for playing. They also had the game where you take a hammer and hit a button with it and it is supposed to fling the chicken into the pot and they had a ring toss over some Coca-Cola bottles. These games were also fun to watch my kids play.

We stopped and listened to The Note-Ables play on the stage next to the Great Basin Brewery and I have to admit, they were really, really good. The Note-Ables are a band of varying abilities as some are people with disabilities. In fact, the Note-Ables are not just a band, it is also a “nonprofit organization with a primary purpose of providing inclusive music programs and music therapy services for children and adults of all ages and abilities.” All-in-all, I found it to be a great time and I hope to see the band again at another local event.

About Independent Living for People of Disabilities

As a former employee of a large national organization that serves people with disabilities, this event meant a lot to me, personally. The disability movement is one of the last movements fighting for civil rights in much the same ways that people of color did back in the 50s and 60s and women did in the 20s. There is push today for people with disabilities to live in an inclusive environment, within their communities and not in an institutional setting. Many people with disabilities can learn life skills that can enable them to live in our communities and give back in ways that are meaningful and benefit the communities we live in. The Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living is “dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with all disabilities by promoting independence through self empowerment, choice and community involvement” and “each person, regardless of the severity of his or her disability, has the potential to grow, develop, and share fully the joys and responsibilities of our society.” That is something that I can stand behind and gladly give to by attending this event.

I can only hope that this event gets bigger and better every year. Also, I hope that the weather will cooperate next year as well.

Thank you to the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living for putting on such a great event and I’ll be looking forward to next year.

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Pumpkin derby, pumpkin show-n-shine, pumpkin pageant, pumpkin pie-eating contest… it’s a PumpkinPalooza!

This Sunday, October 21, 2012, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM PDT, at Victorian Square in Sparks, Nevada, the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living, a local nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by promoting independent living is hosting its first annual PumpkinPalooza. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit and that makes this nonprofit professional very happy to know that a nonprofit organization is benefiting from the festivities. “Event organizers also will benefit from support from the city of Sparks and several businesses on Victorian Avenue, including Great Basin Brewery, Cantina Los Tres Hombres and John Ascuaga’s Nugget” writes Michael Martinez of the Reno Gazette Journal.

There will also be live musical entertainment at this event. “We’ve got mostly rock ‘n’ roll and a jazz quartet in the middle of the day, but it starts with rock ‘n’ roll, dance music, then mellower music and finishes with rock ‘n’ roll,” said Kat Wilson, who organized the PumpkinPalooza’s entertainment and will perform with her band, Pocket City (Source: Reno Gazette Journal). Cicus Circus will also provide various carnival games during the event.

With so many things to witness and do as a part of the event festivities, this sounds like a great experience in the making. As a fan of all things Fall and Halloween, this sounds like the perfect event for my family to attend. I am really excited that we have another event in the community where we will showcase why living in Northern Nevada is the best place on Earth. Why would we want to live anywhere else?

Will you be attending this event? What are you most excited about seeing/experiencing?

For more information, please visit PumpkinPalooza.org.

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For all reviews, please exercise discretion. If the sponsor of the article is in conflict of the topic of the article, we will pull down the sponsorship to remove any conflict of interest with the article at-hand. For instance, there is an article about a hamburger restaurant and a competing hamburger restaurant sponsors the article; we will pull the sponsorship and issue a refund.

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Battle Ready, Battle Born for University of Nevada Wolf Pack Football

It’s that time of year again. Men and women (but let’s be honest, mostly men) who previously used Sundays to finish chores around the house and shuttle kids to events now plant their bottoms firmly on the coach surrounded by snacks and drinks. Yes, it’s time for the University of Nevada Wolf Pack football season.

To celebrate its return, we decided to cheer on our alma mater, the University of Nevada Wolf Pack football team, in their first home game of the season against South Florida University. It was a long day for us as we got up to see the balloon races that weekend, but this was our first chance to see the team in years so we decided to risk nap time with Mr. C and cart him to his first live University of Nevada Wolf Pack Football game.

First and most importantly, we arrived about an hour early to find parking. We were ecstatic to find parking in the close parking garage next to Mackay Stadium. We would learn the error of our ways trying to leave the multi-level garage once the game ended (hello 30 minute traffic delay), but ignorance is bliss and we were happy to park and complete our next task, finding Wolf Pack gear.

The UNR bookstore is not the only place in town to find school gear. I frequently see shirts and hats in grocery stores and Silver and Blue Outfitters in Meadowood Mall (update: now across Virginia Street near Lawlor Events Center as well) has a huge assortment of items, but that requires a bit more pre-planning than we put into this trip. Fortunately, the bookstore was open and once we were properly attired, we made our way to Mackay Stadium.

Note to University of Nevada Wolf Pack football fans: at this game, Silver and Blue Outfitters brought a portable store inside the stadium selling their gear.

The University of Nevada Wolf Pack football game was in the afternoon so we opted to buy seats underneath the home stand on the west side of the stadium. I highly recommend getting a seat high up under this stand when going to afternoon games early in the season. The sun sinks behind the stand and fortunately you are in the shade. Once the weather cools it’s not as big of a deal, but the first few games it’s a necessity.

We arrived inside the stadium with about 20 minutes to spare before the game began, so we had some time to wander around. Fortunately, the Wolf Pack knows that some of their fans are pint size and have included activities that appeal to them, including bounce houses. And of course, the mascots Alphie and Wolfie Jr., always take time to entertain the kids.

Mackay Stadium has plenty of food options. There’s the usual stadium fare of hot dogs, hamburgers, and chips & salsa. For those wanting healthier options, Port of Subs is on location with pre-made sandwiches to choose from. As long as you’re not dying for a smorgasbord of international cuisine, you will find something for your family.

All in all, minus the most depressing hiccup of UNR losing an 11 point lead within the last 5 minutes of the fourth quarter, the game was a blaring success. We’re definitely looking forward to our next game (with a hopeful better outcome for the Pack)! In the meantime…

“The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack!”

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For all reviews, please exercise discretion. If the sponsor of the article is in conflict of the topic of the article, we will pull down the sponsorship to remove any conflict of interest with the article at-hand. For instance, there is an article about a hamburger restaurant and a competing hamburger restaurant sponsors the article; we will pull the sponsorship and issue a refund.

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The Great Reno Balloon Race

This year, we had the opportunity to attend one of our most beloved events of the year for each of us as children, here at Windy Pinwheel, the Great Reno Balloon Race. The details for each of us are slightly different, but they pretty much follow the same format. Our parents would wake us up before the sun would rise. For Will, his parents would wake him jarringly with a crude shout that to this day is still not understood, “Daylight in the swamp!” as the light switch barely made it to the turned on position.

Our parents would stop for hot chocolate and perhaps doughnuts on the way to see magic in September. Before dawn, while the night sky still lingers and at its darkest hour, Dawn Patrol would light up the early morning sky at the Great Reno Balloon Race. “Balloonists glow, twinkle and fly along with choreographed music across a darkened sky, leaving the crowd awe struck.” As each pull of the hot air balloon’s chain occurs, the fire would emit a glow of the slowly filling balloon rising to fly before dawn. It’s truly magical spectacle to witness at the Great Reno Balloon Race. It is something worth seeing.

Later, around 7:00 AM, is the mass ascension. During this period, nearly one hundred balloons of all shapes fly into the air in a race to chase the first balloon to lift off that morning. A “race” to keep up with the leader. This year we saw a soccer ball, Smokey the Bear, a globe of the Earth, an 1800’s era stagecoach, and a Darth Vader head from Star Wars roaming the skies. Each year brings new and exciting shaped balloons as well as traditional multicolored round balloons. It truly is a site to be seen.

For kids, The Children’s Cabinet and the Wilbur D. May Foundation provided tethered hot air balloon rides to all kids who had a voucher (we got one through our daycare facility, as the Children’s Cabinet often sends people to fill in as help while staff are out on leave). Our daughter had a great time riding the shark shaped balloon up into the sky. It will be an unforgettable experience for her.

Also, Ultimate Bouncers was onsite providing bounce houses for kids at a price of $5 for 15 minutes (and this was more than enough time for our kids after waiting in line for the hot air balloon ride earlier in the day). Ultimate Bouncers serves as far east as Elko and south as Minden/Gardnerville. Their bounce houses are sturdy and they have all kinds for boy and girl alike, if you’re looking for one for an upcoming special event in your family.

If you are in Reno, Nevada the weekend after Labor Day, this event is a must see, no matter how much coffee it takes to rise out of bed.

Here are some tips:

• If you happen to know someone who lives near Rancho San Rafael Park, it is a good idea to park there rather than at the park. There is a fee to park at the park if you would rather do less walking and pay; be sure to bring cash if you plan on this option.
• If you have an RV, be sure to stage the RV on the side of the road (any one that you choose surrounding the park) a couple days prior to the event. Otherwise, you won’t get a good spot.
• Be sure to dress warm. Unlike this year, the Great Reno Balloon Race is notorious for chilly weather worthy of a sweatshirt, windbreaker or jacket.
• Bring your own coffee and hot chocolate to the park. Many of the vendors charge for these things and if you’re looking to save a dollar or two, this option can help.
• Bring cash. If you’re looking for a souvenir, and there are many, even posters commemorating the event that year, cash is king.
• Bring a fold up chair to sit on during the event or be prepared to stand for a couple hours.

For more information, visit The Great Reno Balloon Race website at www.renoballoon.com

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