Yesterday, the Reno City Council approved donation funds to sponsor the “The Rolling Pilot”, the first known paraplegic hot air balloon pilot, for the 2010 Great Reno Balloon Race (GRBR).

The donation of $1,899 ($899 to GRBR, Inc. and $1,000 to the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living) will sponsor the participation and defray expenses associated with the participation.

“The Rolling Pilot” is scheduled to make two presentations at area schools in September. In addition, he will be taking one passenger with him during the 2010 GRBR competition. The RAAC is coordinating the passenger selection with the Washoe County School District and other local non-profit organizations who serve youth with disabilities. The “Rolling Pilot” will be available to meet with local media on media day during the 2010 GRBR.

The support of “The Rolling Pilot’s” participation in the 2010 GRBR will further the mission of the RAAC by visually promoting the City’s on-going commitment to inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all facets of civic life.

Council donation funds can only be used for nonprofit organizations that provide substantial benefits within our community. These monies are allocated throughout the fiscal year.

Nineteen area residents received their certificates of completion from the Reno Citizens Institute (RCI) program at today’s Reno City Council meeting. Over the past 10 weeks the residents have spent their Thursday evenings learning how their local government works through presentations and discussions involving all City of Reno departments.

The graduates are: Jack Brooks, Michelle Fournier, Mike Ginsburg, Terry B. Hoffman, Stacie Huggins, Barbara N. Kopp, Paula Lopez, Al Mabrouk, Patricia A. Moriarty, Donn R. Moriarty, Susan Moss-Redman, Michael Pidlypchak, Wayne Redman, Chris Riddell, Elaine Rockwell, Donald Smith, Kathleen Taylor, Zachary Twiss and Patrick Ty Whitaker.

The program schedule includes sessions with the City Manager’s Office, Human Resources, Finance, Communications and Technology, Parks, Recreation and Community Services; the Reno Fire Department, City Attorney’s Office, Municipal Court, Reno Police Department, Public Works, Community Development, the Reno Redevelopment Agency and Truckee Meadows Water Authority. The graduates learned how their tax dollars are allocated, how department heads make decisions, and how public officials work together to make our city great.

This graduating class is the 23rd class to complete the program. The Reno Citizens Institute is held twice a year and limited to 25 participants per session. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the Truckee Meadows. For more information about the RCI program or an application to the fall 2010 session, visit www.reno.gov or contact Reno Direct at (775) 334-3464.

The City’s Recreation and Park Commissioners are adopting a number of Reno parks this summer and are hopeful that other residents will adopt parks as well. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRGPYgAPnFI]