Around the Arch Blog

In honor of Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful’s community cleanup, the City Council declared May 8th in the event’s honor. The Great Truckee Meadows Cleanup celebrates its fifth year of sprucing up our community. You can still volunteer by going to ktmb.org or by calling 775-851-5185. Pictured: Council Member Jessica Sferrazza and KTMB President Debra Rutledge.

Council Member Jessica Sferrazza read a proclamation declaring April Fair Housing Month in Reno. The Executive Director of Silver State Housing Katherine Knister thanked the Council for their efforts to uphold the rights of citizens to live where they choose to.

Thanks to the Ward Two Central Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) area residents will be able to enjoy the water play feature at Yori Park.

At last Wednesday’s Reno City Council Meeting, the Council approved a request from Ward Two Central NAB for $3,000 in Community Pride Grant (CPG) funds to the City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. The CPG funds will be used to offset operating expenses associated with the water play feature at Yori Park.

Yori Park is a heavily used neighborhood park with a popular water play feature. Without the CPG allocation this feature would not be operational this summer due to budget restrictions. Turning the water play area on at Yori Park this summer encourages family visits while providing free entertainment and relief during the summer months.

Each NAB’s CPG funds are designed to be used for neighborhood-specific projects. These funds are allocated to projects that the City may not have budgeted for that the NAB would like to expedite. Funds are generally intended for projects that are short term in nature and quick to implement. While funding is recommended by the boards, its use and expenditure are guided by established city procurement, expenditure procedures, and ground rules.

The City of Reno’s Neighborhood Advisory Boards are showing support for services and programs aimed at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as offering support and counseling services.

The Neighborhood Advisory Boards approved a request to provide $6,500 in Community Pride Grant funds to African-American Community Cultural Education Programs and Testing (A.C.C.E.P.T.) to provide HIV testing and support for AIDS programs. Read the rest of this entry »

Poverty is tough, especially on children. But a little bit of funding through a City program along with the efforts of a non-profit group are helping children in this situation.

At-risk children at Echo Loder Elementary School started off the new school year with new clothes and school supplies. Now, they are also going to be delighted when they discover Santa will not miss their home this year. They will wake up to find new toys waiting for them this coming Christmas.

This all came about through a request from a non-profit group, the Active 20/30 Club to the Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board. The Club asked for $1,500 in Community Pride Grant funds to provide back-to-school and Christmas shopping opportunities to help at-risk children at Echo Loder. The Board liked the idea and recommended approval to the Reno City Council. The Council unanimously approved the request.

Last month, the Ward 2 Central Neighborhood Advisory Board also agreed to provide the group with $1,500 in Community Pride Grant funds for the same purpose.

Community Pride Grant funding is designed to be used for neighborhood specific projects. The funds are generally intended for projects that are short term in nature and quick to implement. In this case, the funds are providing more than just a few smiles. It is demonstrating the commitment to better our community and providing lots of warm, wonderful memories for the children.

The weekly hour-long walk and talk with Reno City Council members Sharon Zadra and Jessica Sferrazza is being canceled for Monday, November 23rd.

It is the week prior to Thanksgiving and Zadra and Sferrazza recognize schedules can be hectic around the holidays. They are hoping you have the opportunity to relax and enjoy some time with your loved ones.

They are also inviting you to join them again when the weekly program, “Fresh Air, New Ideas” continues after the holiday. The schedule for the month of December will be announced soon. For more information about “Fresh Air, New Ideas,” contact Reno Direct at 334-INFO (4636).

You read the headlines, hear the news but what is really going on behind the decisions made at City Hall?  Here is one way for you to find out; enroll in the Reno Citizens Institute.

It is a program where you spend one night a week over a 10 week period getting the inside scoop on how things work. You hear from each department and you get to ask questions, as many as you like. Its perfect if you want to run for office, serve on a Commission or Board or learn more about your local government. Read the rest of this entry »

Reno’s famous Arch is now energy efficient. The City replaced 2,076 lights with LED bulbs that use 75% less energy. The City held a celebration to turn on the new lights after Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Council Members screwed in the last energy efficient lights. The Reno Arch is world famous and one of the most photographed fixtures in Reno. After the lights went on, the Council, children and other adults got their pictures taken next to the arch with local sports mascots, including the Reno Aces’ Archie, the Bighorns’ Bruno and the UNR Wolfpack’s Wolfie. The move to make the arch more “green” is part of a $20 million plan to make the City more energy efficient.

The City of Reno is combining two celebrations into one next Tuesday at Pat Baker Park.  First, The new playground and improvements at Pat Baker Park will be highlighted by City officials on Tuesday, October 27 at the park shelter starting at 4 p.m.  Following opening remarks from Councilwoman Sferrazza, the annual Trunk or Treat event begins for neighborhood children.

Read the rest of this entry »

The national buzz  is for people to serve their community through volunteerism. Several Reno residents jumped on board (no pun intended) to better their community by volunteering to serve on some local advisory bodies.

At the last Reno City Council meeting, the Council approved several residents to Boards and Commissions appointments. Reno residents Wendy Franco and George Hardaway will serve on the Four Steps to the Future Committee and Micaela Gerardin-Frey was appointed as an alternate. Craig Erny was reappointment to serve on the Historical Resource Commission.

With over 50 Boards and Commissions, interested residents have the opportunity to improve their community by volunteering to serve on an advisory body that best suits their interests. The Arts and Culture Commission, Neighborhood Advisory Board, Recreation and Parks Commission, and Senior Citizen Advisory Committee are just some of the boards represented. There are many opportunites available so if you are interested visit the City of Reno’s website at www.cityofreno.com to find out more.