WHERE IS SOUTH RENO'S "THIRD PLACE?"

No, I'm not searching for a street called Third Place on Reno's South end.  And I thought very hard about whether it was appropriate to post this particular blog entry on September 11, 2012, while it was still daylight in the Pacific Time Zone of the United States of America.  On a day that is remembered for the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  But please bear with me, read on, and try to understand why this topic is on my mind.

Years ago, I discovered an amazing community hang-out called Third Place Books in the Seattle suburb of Lake Forest Park, Washington, USA.

To borrow a quote from the Third Place Books Web site, "Sociologist Ray Oldenberg suggests that each of us needs three places: first is the home; second is the workplace or school; and beyond lies the place where people from all walks of life interact, experiencing and celebrating their commonality as well as their diversity. It is a third place. In his celebrated book, The Great Good Place, Oldenberg discusses how the cafes, pubs, town squares and other gathering places make a community stronger and bring people together."

Third Place Books has really nailed this concept.  With a massive selection of books, a spacious, multi-ethnic food court and a stage to showcase local bands, choirs and authors, it's constantly abuzz with activity.  (A newer Third Place Books store, in Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood, features a Greek restaurant and pub with happy hours.)

In a similar vein, fans of the late, great TV series "Once and Again" might remember My Sister's Bookstore, which later was rechristened Booklovers to reflect its status as a place for singles to meet and mingle.  It was more than a book store, more than a coffee shop, it was a destination and a place of hope and promise.

Where is South Reno's version of Third Place Books or Booklovers?  Since the closure of Borders, the area's major book store (with cafe) is Barnes and Noble, at 5555 S. Virginia St.  Maybe Barnes and Noble is trying to fill the void, but this location doesn't have the welcoming vibe I'm seeking.

Don't get me wrong, it's a large and attractive store.  I like their cookbook section and the fact that they stock lots of classic movies on DVD, not just new releases.

But when I shop here,  I see customers hunkered down in corners, their noses buried in books that they're probably going to read cover-to-cover before sticking them back on a shelf.  In this Barnes and Noble cafe, most people stare blankly at their laptop computers while their coffee goes cold on the table.  People aren't chatting or flirting.  I wonder why.

And so my search for South Reno's Third Place continues. I want to find a place that makes feel people loved and connected.

  To learn more about Washington's Third Place Books,  visit  http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/

 For information about Barnes and Noble on Reno's South Virginia Street, call (775) 826-8882 or visit http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2938

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DAY TRIP FROM SOUTH RENO: DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

Northstar on Dwellable

Each time my family has moved, we've tried to treat it as a new adventure.  That means exploring the nooks and crannies of our own neighborhood and also looking at the bigger picture — the history and geography of the region.  

Donner Memorial State Park, in Truckee, California is a great day trip destination from South Reno, less than 50 miles west on I-80.  An all-day parking pass costs $8 per car, or $7 for guests who are 62 or older.  Highlights of the park are beautiful Donner Lake and the Emigrant Trail Museum.  (The parking fee includes museum admission.) 

The park and lake are named for the ill-fated Donner Party of pioneers who became stranded in the Sierra Nevada during the harsh winter of 1846-47.  Almost half died from hypothermia or starvation and some of the survivors resorted to cannibalism.  It's a gruesome story, to be sure, but history isn't always pretty. 

Although the Emigrant Trail Museum includes art, dioramas and artifacts related to the Donner Party's plight, it also tells tales of the building of the railroads and the mining boom that shaped the history of Northern Nevada and Northern California.  During yesterday's trip to the museum, youngsters were also enthralled by a taxidermy exhibit showing animals that are native to the region.  The flying squirrel, bobcat and pine marten appeared to be the audience favorites. 

The gift shop at the Emigrant Trail Museum offers cutesy t-shirts, coffee mugs and magnets, but more importantly, a big selection of books and DVDs about the Native Americans, the pioneers and prospectors and the plants and animals that can be seen in the park. 

Donner Memorial State Park has facilities for swimming, boating, fishing, camping and hiking.  Picnic tables overlooking the lake provide a place to kick back and relax, or of course, you can bring your own folding chairs.  By the way, the close proximity of the town of Truckee means you're also just a hop, skip and jump away from grocery stores or fast-food restaurants, should you decide upon an impromptu picnic. 

For more information about Donner Memorial State Park and the Emigrant Trail Museum, 12593 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, CA, call (530) 582-7892 or visit  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=503

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THE SUMMIT: SOUTH RENO'S AWESOME, OPEN-AIR SHOPPING MALL

Readers of Nevada Magazine recently voted The Summit the best place to shop in Northern Nevada.  My initial reaction was, "It doesn't take much.  There are very few shopping malls in Northern Nevada, period."  But honestly, I do like The Summit, located on South Virginia Street and Mt. Rose Highway in Reno!

It's a modern and beautiful open-air shopping center.  It reminds me a lot of Seattle's University Village (but without the parking hassles) or maybe Redmond Town Center in Redmond, Washington. Back in those locations, I sometimes heard people gripe, "Why would you build an open-air shopping mall in a place where it rains all the time?"  Here in Reno, I've heard folks complain, "Why would you build an open-air shopping mall in a place where it gets so hot or cold and windy?"

People, that's why hoodies were invented!  Embrace the fresh air and the region's natural beauty.  I would much rather see flora and fauna, the blue sky and the mountains than the sterile or depressing environment of an enclosed shopping center.  For those who really want or need to get around a large open-air mall, The Summit offers a free shuttle bus.

The Summit is anchored by a Dillard's department store.  Many of the other merchants are the "usual suspects," from The Gap and Old Navy to Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma.  The rock star of this mall is the Apple Store.  It's perpetually busy!  One of my favorites at The Summit is Charming Charlie, an amazing place to buy cute handbags, jewelry and other accessories without spending an arm and a leg.

Also at The Summit is a multi-screen movie theatre — and imagine my amusement and delight when I heard that Deep Purple and Whitesnake singer David Coverdale (a resident of Incline Village, Nevada) drives down from treacherous Mt. Rose to watch movies here.  "Dude!"

Restaurants at The Summit run the gamut from Subway and Fatburger to Italian, Japanese, brewpubs and more.  I've got a lot of living to do, at The Summit, before I can tell you where the fun finds or epic fails may be.

For more information about The Summit, call (775) 851-3553 or visithttp://www.thesummitonline.com/reno/

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FARMERS MEET GAMBLERS AT SOUTH RENO'S TAMARACK JUNCTION

The phrases "fresh from the farm" and "at the casino" don't seem as though they'd go together.  But this morning at the Tamarack Junction Casino, 13101 S. Virginia St., Reno, patrons of the casino and its restaurants, as well as the general public, had a chance to shop for beautiful produce and other items at a farmers' market in the front parking lot. 

The Friday farmers' markets at Tamarack Junction will continue through Oct. 9 and are among several sponsored by Shirley's Farmers' Markets, (775) 746-5024 or http://www.shirleysfarmersmarkets.com/ 

Another of Shirley's markets, very nearby, takes place at The Summit Reno shopping mall on South Virginia Street and Mt. Rose Highway, Saturdays through Sept. 29 and Tuesdays through Oct. 9. 

Farmers at these events hail from both rural Nevada and Northern California.  Fresh produce is the star of the shows — sweet corn, peppers, onions, tomatoes, berries, peaches, nectarines and more. Other participants include crafters and purveyors of cooking oils, gourmet meats, beauty products and kettle corn. 

Bringing this quaint outdoor shopping experience to the Tamarack Junction is a nice touch.  As local casinos go, this has a comfy "neighborhood" feel that you won't get at the downtown Reno casinos.  

A lovely patio overlooks trees, flowers and the Sierra, rather than urban blight.  Tamarack Junction restaurants range from a casual, 24-hour kitchen to a sports bar and upscale steakhouse.  I could see bringing visitors from out-of-town to relax here, whereas the downtown casinos hold no appeal for me. 

For more information about Tamarack Junction, call (775) 852-3600 or visit:  
http://tamarackjunction.com/

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NOT-SO-HAPPY DAYS AT JOE'S DINER IN SOUTH RENO

On a rare rainy day in South Reno, I wanted to like Joe's Diner, 6350 S. Virginia St.  Would it be a happy, snappy, classic burger joint where colorful characters like Richie Cunningham and The Fonz might hang out to shoot the breeze?  Heck no. More like "Joe Schmoe."

It was neat to see those old-fashioned jukebox play stations atop each table — until I noticed they were all marked "out-of-order."  The big jukebox was broken, as well, and looked like it might never have been functional in this restaurant.  So there'd be no toe-tapping to hits by Elvis, The Supremes or The Four Seasons.  Just the droning background noise of a TV and a muffled radio playing Fleetwood Mac. So much for "Happy Days." In spite of 1950s and '60s memorabilia on the walls, the atmosphere at Joe's Diner was dreary.

But after all, most people come for the food, right? I opted to order the Classic Burger with fries ($7.99), figuring it would be hard to botch up such a simple dish. The third-pound patty was passable but it was drenched in too much mayo.  Lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions were nestled amidst the goop.

My dining companion went for the Western Burger with fries ($9.99).  This also featured a third-pound patty, with cheese, barbecue sauce, an onion ring and the other, aforementioned condiments.  His reaction was about the same as mine: "Eh ... it's okay."

Portions of fries at Joe's were generous, but the spuds were limp and unspectacular.  Beverages were not included with our meals and we had to flag our server for refills, even though the place was nearly empty.  We won't be heading back to Joe's Diner.

A consistently satisfying and less expensive burger restaurant is farther South on the same stretch of road.  At In-N-Out Burger, 8215 S. Virginia St., a Hamburger combo (1/8 pound burger, fries and medium, refillable soft drink) costs $4.85.  The Cheeseburger combo is $5.15 and the Double-Double combo (with two burger patties and two slices of cheese) will set you back $6.15.

In-N-Out Burgers typically are served on a toasted bun with a special sauce. I've also ordered them "Protein Style," wrapped in lettuce with mustard instead of the sauce.  Equally yummy, with less fat.

The dining room at this immensely popular South Reno fast-food spot is small, so nabbing a table can be tricky at peak times.  It's no wonder that the drive-up window at In-N-Out Burger is so long.  But everything here is fresh and flavorful, including the fries which are made in-house.  Service (at the counter) is fast and friendly.  Within minutes, your number is called and you are in In-N-Out Burger heaven.

Now THIS is one of the perks of living in South Reno!  You won't find many locations of In-N-Out Burger outside of California.  Cali ex-pats and former Nevadans make a beeline for these burger joints when they're back on home turf, like displaced Chicagoans jones for Chicago-style hot dogs when they're not in the Windy City.

For more information about In-N-Out Burger, call (800) 786-1000 or visit: http://www.in-n-out.com/

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A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE AT SOUTH RENO'S WHOLE FOODS MARKET

While I'm partial to unique, locally-owned places to shop and eat, it takes time to discover the gems in any new city where you reside.  And there is no denying the draw of the Whole Foods Market in South Reno, for both locals and tourists. 

Reno's climate is not the best for al fresco dining.  I've observed that there are two seasons here in Northern Nevada: very hot and windy or cold and very windy.  Yet even on days when the weather's not ideal, hipsters and health-conscious eaters pack the patio at this Whole Foods location, 6139 S. Virginia St., Reno. The market's dizzying array of prepared, self-serve foods — both hot and cold — and the fact that you can tailor a bowl or platter to your liking, mean that even the fussiest customers can find something to love for breakfast, lunch, dinner or in-between. 

I'm a sucker for Whole Foods' hot soup bar. There are typically about 10 varieties of soup, with low-sodium, vegan and gluten-free choices, as well as more traditional recipes.  The chicken tortilla and the tomato with chipotle soups are among my personal faves.  A small container is $5.99, large is $9.99.  Sure, a can of Campbell's is way cheaper, but the freshness and goodness of Whole Foods' hot soups can't be matched. 

I also like mixing-and-matching different goodies at the Whole Foods' "Hot Global Cuisine" and salad bars.  These are perfect for sampling unfamiliar foods, but there are plenty of old-fashioned comfort foods, as well.  One caveat:  Items at each of these self-serve "smorgasbords" are $7.99 per pound, with plates or containers weighed at the check-out counter.  Unless you're skilled at guessing the weight of your food, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock if you're heavy-handed with your portions.  (Or as Jack Nicholson famously yelled, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!") 

Grab-and-go foods from the cold case are an attractive alternative for those who'd rather take food back home or to the office— or can't be trusted to limit helpings at the hot and cold food bars. On yesterday's trek to the Whole Foods Reno Market, tempting cold-case options included pre-packaged portions of salmon, eggplant parmesan, deli sandwiches, wraps and chef's salads. 

Plus, let's face it.  The very fact that this Whole Foods store is so busy makes it fun to shop and people-watch there.  I've never seen a celebrity there, yet, but one can always dream.  I do wish there were more special events at this Whole Foods Market in Reno.  Not to rub it in, but in many other cities, these markets have a lot more chef demos, cooking classes, wine-tastings and so on.

(When I was working for the Redmond Reporter, I covered a wine-bottle-signing event featuring Queensryche vocalist and wine enthusiast Geoff Tate at the Whole Foods in Redmond, Washington. That was quite interesting and revealed an unexpected side of a Seattle rock star.) 

However, there's one more reason why this former Chicagoan (and Washingtonian) finds herself heading back to Whole Foods Reno on a pretty steady basis. They carry frozen Home Run Inn pizzas from Chicago!  A taste of home, here in the Sierra!  Nice.  (UPDATE!  Sadly, as of Spring 2014, Whole Foods Reno no longer stocks Home Run Inn pizzas.  If you love these Chicago pizzas, please let the store manager know!)

For more information about the Whole Foods Market in South Reno, call (775) 852-8023 or visit:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/reno/



  

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DELI DILEMMA IN SOUTH RENO

It's easy to find ethnic delicatessans back East.  In the West, hardly ever will you find Chicago-style Italian beef or Krakus ham, imported from Poland.  There was a glimmer of hope when Comm Row in downtown Reno opened with a restaurant called Da Stand, named for the cautious stance taken by many burly men as they bite into juicy, messy Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches.  But Da Stand went out of business in the blink of eye!  Was it apathy toward Comm Row?  Or apathy toward Italian beef?  I guess we'll never know.

At least Reuben sandwiches seem to be a deli mainstay throughout the U.S., including South Reno.  Two were literally "worth writing home about," for different reasons.

• For a gourmet Reuben, head to The Manhattan Deli at Atlantis Casino, 3800 S. Virginia St., Reno; (775) 335-3114.  Piled high with your choice of corned beef, pastrami or turkey and served on grilled rye bread, it comes generously topped with Swiss cheese and kraut.  A cup of Thousand Island dressing and an enormous dill pickle are served on the side.  It's a hefty, high-quality sandwich at a somewhat hefty "a la carte" price, $14.

On our visit to the full-service Manhattan Deli, we received a complimentary appetizer of giardianara.  A side of fries ($4) was big enough for two people.  With drinks and tip, this is not an inexpensive deli visit. As for atmosphere, the dining area is bright and shiny, but it overlooks the dark interior of the casino floor.  For more information, visit http://www.atlantiscasino.com/dining/manhattan-deli/

• For a less pricey option in more humble surroundings, try the Reuben at Deli Towne USA, 3650 S. Lakeside Drive, Reno; (775) 826-4466.   Here, I got a Reuben for $7.64 with tax.  It's a much smaller, but decent sandwich.  You order at the counter, fill your own cup at the soda fountain and then sit back and admire the odd view.

Deli Towne is located inside of a Shell gas station.  It's kind of like hanging out at a truck stop, but well within the confines of The Biggest Little City in the World.  Deli Towne also has a mascot of sorts, Mayor Pickle.  As well as a swinging theme song, performed by someone who sounds like Bill Murray in his old "Saturday Night Live" lounge singer skits.  Hear it while you check out Deli Towne's Web site: http://www.delitowneusa.com/

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