Annie Flanzraich

Annual report for Reno's Saint Mary's Center for Cancer.

On a chilly morning, few experiences are more soothing than curling up with a cup of herbal tea and savoring each sip.
And just think how much better that moment would be if the herbs were to come from your own backyard or even indoor containers.

The phrase school lunch may bring to mind a plastic-wrapped, floppy, slightly moist sandwich on white bread that gets stuck in your teeth, paired with a mealy apple, a bag of stale chips, and an artificially flavored drink.

But not at High Desert Montessori School in Reno.

I stood in the parking lot of the mechanic's shop in Ely, Nevada; my greasy hair pulled back in one of those awkward, ponytails that comes with having short hair. I hadn’t showered or really changed my clothes in a few days. My jeans bore the souvenirs of camping: dirt, sweat, food stains and campfire smoke.

A few years ago, you couldn't find locally distilled spirits in northern Nevada. Today, you can find a variety of bourbons, gins, liquors, rums, vodkas and whiskeys either made in the area or crafted with ingredients from the region. For easy reference, here’s a primer to the variety of local libations you can imbibe.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of a Jewish state, the Nevada Museum of Art and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa are bringing Israeli art, food, and culture to Reno.

When the weather turns warm in Northern Nevada, all I want to do is spend as much time as possible outdoors while enjoying the fresh-smelling air and radiant sun. Now, there are many ways to do this — hiking, spending time at the dog park with my reluctant schnauzer, brunching on patios or simply sipping a cup of coffee on an Adirondack chair. But, I think the best way to experience the glory of temperate weather is by pairing it with art. Luckily, there's a host of ways to pair the two. Here are some of my favorites.

For 40 years, Charlie Abowd has cooked internationally influenced, gourmet dishes using locally sourced ingredients at Café at Adele’s in Carson City. From his kitchen came Dungeness crab-infused tater tots, escargots en casserole, stuffed filet étouffée featuring local Bently Ranch beef, and Lebanese lamb chops made with local Borda ranch lamb.

When summer comes to the Reno/Tahoe area, my favorite activities happen outside. Hiking, camping, swimming, exploring, adventuring and lounging are best experienced with sunshine, fresh air, friends and a hefty dose of SPF. State parks can be an epicenter for all of the above, and luckily more than 20 parks are a 45-minute drive or less from Reno. Here are my favorite seven to visit.

For the past 10,000 years, indigenous people have inhabited the Great Basin area and shaped its history and culture. In the Reno/Tahoe region, the Washoe and Northern Paiute tribes are an active and integral part of the community.

It’s hard to feel good having fun while enjoying the natural beauty of the Reno/Tahoe region when you start thinking about how your actions may impact the environment. Luckily, there are many businesses in the area that are either powered by renewable energy or are trying to lower their ecological impact. Here are four to check out:

This 100+ page publication celebrates 50 years of history of the Reno Philharmonic. Author Judith F. Simpson wrote the text, and I worked with her and the team at the Reno Philharmonic to edit the copy. I also pulled and scanned photos from the organization's archives and newspaper archives to augment the book. To ensure the publication was print-ready, I also worked with the Reno Philharmonic and the KPS3 to create an editorial budget and copy edit the final proofs.

In a wooden barn on the outskirts of Fernley, a red-haired woman stands patiently, sizing up her target.
She leans back, and settles her weight into her lower body. Her right hand rests lightly on the handle of a six-shooter sheathed in a leather holster slung low on her hips. With her thumb barely touching the hammer and her index finger lightly brushing the trigger guard, she waits for a cue.

Garlic’s scent can repel bloodsuckers and unwanted suitors, but at the inaugural Reno Garlic Fest, organizers hope the pungent bulb will instead unite people.