Reno area companies invited to join 2020 Corporate Challenge Sign your team up by March 2 Reno, Nevada (February 19, 2020) — Corporate Challenge is back! The City of Reno invites local companies and organizations to sign up to compete in the 2020 Corporate Challenge by March 2, 2020. Corporate Challenge brings the spirit of the Olympics to a local and more intimate playing field. Ten different events are offered throughout the Reno area during a 10-week period from the first week of April through June 2020. The Closing Ceremony is scheduled for June 6 at Dick Taylor Park. From basketball to pictionary, and everything in between, there is an event for everyone’s skills – including a 5K trail run, softball, bowling, darts, kart racing, tug of war, horseshoes and swimming. A kickoff orientation will be held on March 4 from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon) at Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center that will go over the rules and expectations for all team managers. Costs for participation ranges from $700 for companies of up to 199 employees to $900 for companies of 500 or more. Companies are divided into three divisions, based on the number of employees. This makes competition fairer, so companies with only a few employees are not challenging those with a base of thousands. Smaller companies that share business often join forces to form a combined team. Companies, players and spectators can share photos by using the hashtag #RenoCorporateChallenge across social media channels. Corporate Challenge is operated by the City of Reno Parks and Recreation. For entry packet, game schedule, handbook, sponsorship opportunities, calendar and more details, visit Reno.gov/ParksandRec or call 775-334-2262. ### About the City of Reno The City of Reno government's mission is dedicated to creating a community that people are proud to call home. In order to achieve that purpose, the Reno City Council has established three overarching goals — Ensure Financial Stability, Provide Public Safety and Reduce Debt — and several supporting priorities. To learn more about the City of Reno, visit Reno.gov or call 775-334-INFO (4636). About Corporate Challenge For 35 years, the Corporate Challenge has been a healthy way for local companies and their employees to stay active in the community. The City of Reno is excited to begin offering this program once again. What once was the largest amateur athletic competition in the State of Nevada, Corporate Challenge provides employees the opportunity for unity, teamwork and camaraderie in a fun competition that promotes company pride, corporate wellness and community socialization. Well-structured events are an excellent way to encourage initiative, reward the commitment of key staff, improve morale, inspire cooperation and team spirit, and supercharge future performance.
A friend of ours needs help from parents of high school students and recent graduates. Please read below and forward to anyone who might participate in an easy but important conversation! A group of researchers is looking for parents of high-school students and recent high school graduates to attend a one-time "un-focus group" on Tuesday, Febrauary 25th from 6 -7:30 pm at the Innevation Center near the Discovery Museum in downtown Reno. At the event, nice academic folks will ask parents to tell stories and share problems and ideas about preparing their students to apply and go to college. The group is being moderated by a professional facilitator who guarantees you will have some fun; and the study's sponsors will provide real food from Whole Foods Catering and Reno's own Mindful Cupcakes. Participants who RSVP by Friday, February 21 will receive generous thank you packages including gift certificates and goodies from local retailers. The purpose of the research study is to to uncover and understand the most significant factors for individual families who are trying to make decisions about college. Participants will have a unique opportunity to guide researchers about ways to potentially improve the process of making post-high school educational decisions for students. If you would like to participate, please RSVP for this event at this Evite link. For questions, please contact Larry Dailey at larry@larrydailey.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bank of America Surpasses Five-Year Goal to Hire 10,000 Veterans Celebrates 100th Year of Supporting the Military This month, Bank of America surpassed its five-year goal to hire 10,000 veterans, national guard and reservists. This hiring goal was set to address the unique challenges military personnel face in finding employment after service. The company remains committed to continuing to attract, develop and retain military talent. In addition to this milestone, Bank of America will celebrate 100 years of supporting the military later this year – a tradition that started in July 1920 when the company began providing financial services and products for service members and their families at the Fort Sam Houston base in Texas. Bank of America currently operates overseas military banking facilities in 10 countries, including 62 financial centers and 274 ATMs. “Our support of veterans, service members and their families is a huge part of who we are. We remain steadfast in our commitment to hiring and serving military personnel who contribute so much to our company, our communities and our country,” said Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America. Since 2009, Bank of America has provided more than $21 million to military nonprofits – including Student Veterans of America, USO, and Institute for Veterans and Military Families – to address the needs of military families. Other financial support includes:Veteran Entrepreneur Lending Program: The $20 million program connects U.S. military veteran business owners with affordable capital to help kick-start and grow their businesses.Veteran Small Business Capital: Through bank and CDFI (community development financial institutions) resources and expertise, the company provides capital for military-, veteran- and family-owned small businesses.Property Donation Program: More than 2,400 properties have been donated to nonprofits supporting military service members.Recognizing the unique skills and experiences that military talent brings to the company, Bank of America has dedicated military hiring, learning and support resources as veterans and their spouses join the company, relocate or deploy. These include:Military Talent Acquisition Team: Through partnership with military nonprofits – including Wounded Warrior Project, Hiring Our Heroes, and Goodwill – the team attracts new talent to the company.Veteran Development Program: This program helps veterans connect with senior leaders and build business acumen. Hundreds of veterans also participate in line-of-business military leadership programs to support their professional development and career growth. Today, more than 500 veterans and military spouses hold leadership positions at the company.Military Support and Assistance Group: More than 11,000 teammates are members of this employee network. With 43 chapters throughout the U.S. and the U.K., the network provides development opportunities for military employees and their families, through networking, mentoring, volunteering and information forums. External research indicates that 65-80 percent of veterans leave their first post-military job near the two-year mark. Although not all veterans at Bank of America are in their first civilian role, the company’s two-year attrition rate is lower than this industry benchmark. Further, Bank of America’s annual employee engagement scores indicate year-over-year improvements for its veterans, with scores on average or higher than their teammates. In 2019, in collaboration with the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) Executive Order Task Force, Bank of America joined a cross-sector commitment to emotional wellness and mental health by signing the Workplace Pledge. The pledge prioritizes mental health in the workplace with a specific focus on veterans and is coordinated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Veterans Affairs. With approximately 1 million service members expected to leave the military over the next five years, Bank of America is committed to doing even more to help make veterans’ transitions successful. This includes:Online Support Services: The Military Transition and Career website offers veterans and their spouses programs, resources and learning tools that address common challenges these men and women face when transitioning from military service to civilian life. These include local and national support for mental wellness initiatives, financial education, and capital deployment.Leadership Support: Dedicated leaders in the Military Affairs team play a key role in ensuring veterans’ successful integration into the corporate workplace.Life Event Services: This team helps veterans and their families navigate significant life events as they join the company, relocate or take military leave. Learn more about Bank of America’s support and commitment to service members, veterans and their families.
A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Presents the Rock Ballet Vortex Now Free to the Public! Reno, NV - The Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at the Bartley Ranch Regional Park will come alive with ballet grace and passionate rock, dance, and alternative music as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents Vortex, the Ballet That Rocks July 17th and 18th as part of the Artown celebration. Artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting contemporary ballet that will be like no other you have ever seen. Imagine ballerinas performing grande jetés to music by popular rock artists. The stage will feature scaffolding and exciting props and sets that will create a visual spectacle that cannot be missed. Thanks to generous support from the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation, the E.L. Cord Foundation, the Nell J. Redfield Foundation, and the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation, the rock ballet Vortex is free to the public. The gates open at 7:30pm for picnicking and the shows begin at 8:30pm. This is a PG-13 production. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is the resident ballet company for the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. They are northern Nevada's largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of performing experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe. Vortex during the month of July is part of the 25th annual Artown festival. The month-long summer arts festival features more than 500 events produced by more than 100 cultural organizations and businesses in locations citywide.
J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. Expands to Nevada with Dyer Merger BOISE, IDAHO—J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. (J-U-B) is pleased to announce it’s merger with Dyer Engineering Consultants, Inc. (DEC) of Reno, Nevada. This strategic merger expands J-U-B’s footprint into Nevada and the Reno metropolitan area and enhances opportunities for employees and clients of both firms. “The merger of J-U-B and DEC is a unique opportunity for two firms with highly compatible cultures to join forces and provide new services to clients and new opportunities to current and future employees,” says Lee Cammack, CEO of J-U-B. “Working with all involved to make this happen has been one of the highlights of my career,” Cammack concludes. Shane Dyer, President of DEC, says, “Our team is excited about this merger! J-U-B is an amazing firm with a great culture. We have been impressed with the company’s leadership and commitment to their employees.” DEC is a firm specializing in aviation, roadway, water resources, mining, and land development engineering, serving clients throughout Nevada and surrounding states. Founded in 1998, DEC has established itself as a goto firm for municipalities, service districts, airports, private clients, and project partners. As the largest Idaho-based civil engineering firm, J-U-B employs 400 people in 18 offices throughout Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and now Nevada. J-U-B provides quality engineering services to federal, state, and local government agencies as well as many leading industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations. With a focus on building strong client relationships, J-U-B offers complete engineering and planning services in transportation, water resources, structures, environmental, landscape architecture, site development, surveying, and construction services. Subsidiary companies, Gateway Mapping, Inc. and The Langdon Group, Inc., add strength to the J-U-B portfolio by offering industry-leading GIS and public involvement expertise. For more information, please visit www.JUB.com.
Summer may still feel far away, but the deadline is fast approaching for civic-minded teens in Northern Nevada to apply for the second annual Bank of America’s Student Leaders program – which provides PAID summer internships at local nonprofits. Last summer, the Student Leaders worked at PBS Reno/KNPB. BofA selects two local high school juniors and seniors for the program, which also includes attending a leadership summit in Washington DC with hundreds of other Student Leaders from other states. The program is part of the bank’s investment into education and workforce development for young adults and others from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not otherwise get exposure to job and leadership experience. It’s never too early to start thinking about paid summer internships and experience. The 2020 application is open now through January 31!
United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS) is pleased to announce the availability of grant funding for a 2-year grant cycle. Funding will begin July 1, 2020 and conclude on June 30, 2022. UWNNS seeks to fund innovative and impactful partnerships in northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin that will support and focus on early literacy, early learning, and grade level reading for children. The Request for Proposal and supporting documents are available online at www.uwnns.org/RFP. Proposals are due by 12:00 p.m. (PST) on Friday, February 14, 2020. Applicants are required to attend one of three applicant orientation sessions to be held in January. We look forward to seeing bold and creative proposals.
Wild and Scenic - On Tour in Reno 2020 Saturday, January 25, 2020 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Third Floor at Whitney Peak Hotel 255 N Virginia St Reno, NV Directions Price: $18.00 to $20.00 —$20; Students, Seniors, and Vets $18; Children 5- Free! Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour returns to Reno. Reno gets wild on January 25th in a return to the Whitney Peak Hotel. This year features a unique line up of short films that combines stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspire and ignite possibilities to restore the earth and human communities. Attendees will see award winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, indigenous cultures. This year we will be raffling off two Burning Man tickets. There will also be partner tables, an art show and silent auction. Tickets $20; Students, Seniors (55+), and Veterans $18; Children 5 and under Free! Doors open @ 6pm for a No-Host Bar and social hour. Films start @ 7pm. Event ends at 10 pm.
STEP2 Named as the first Bank of America Neighborhood Champion for its Work to Help Break the Cycle of Addiction in Families New Program Provides $50,000 and Access to Virtual Leadership Training RENO, Nev. — Bank of America today announced the launch of its Neighborhood Champions program in Northern Nevada, an invitation-only program for nonprofits who are poised to take their work to the next level. STEP2 was selected as its inaugural awardee for its work breaking the cycle of addiction in families. As part of the new program, STEP2 will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity to participate in virtual leadership training on topics ranging from human capital to financial sustainability by experts in the nonprofit sector. Since 1986, STEP2 has employed a holistic treatment program to break the cycle of addiction and help individuals and families chart a path toward self-sufficiency. This program focuses on basic life skills and building emotional, physical, and financial well-being to help clients break free from patterns and environments that perpetuate addiction, as well as providing access to housing, employment resources, family reunification and childcare. Since inception, STEP2 has helped more than 4,000 clients and has average success rate of 50 percent, compared to the national success rate of 17 percent. Funds will be used to help women achieve sobriety, gain employment and rebuild family relationships. “We’re thrilled to bring the Neighborhood Champions program to Northern Nevada,” said Andrew Diedrichsen, Bank of America Reno Market President. “STEP2’s comprehensive approach to addiction treatment helps move people onto a path of personal and financial stability.” “We are incredibly grateful to Bank of America for awarding STEP2 the Neighborhood Champion grant,” said Mari Hutchinson, STEP2’s Chief Executive Officer. “Funding received through this grant will have a generational impact as we work to break the cycle of addiction in families. In short, we will help them create a life they never thought to be possible.” Neighborhood Champions is one more way Bank of America invests into Northern Nevada. Local bank employees volunteer approximately 2,000 hours to community causes, and have awarded more than $150,000 to local nonprofits this year. Pictured from left to right in the photo is: Nick Rowe (Senior Vice President, Reno Market Manager, Bank of America); Mari Hutchinson (Chief Executive Officer, STEP2; and Andrew Diedrichsen (Reno Market President, Bank of America)
Local Students Serving Hope at Campo in Downtown Reno to Promote Suicide Prevention Local students are hosting a special dinner in Downtown Reno to promote suicide awareness and prevention. The event called, “Serving Hope” is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10th at Campo, 50 N Sierra St. Middle school students from the Honors Academy of Literature are volunteering to be guest servers. The event will feature a special menu for $25 a plate and will benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Nevada Chapter. “NAMI is the largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families,” said Robin Reedy, Executive Director of NAMI Nevada. “We invite the community to come together to enjoy a delicious dinner for an important cause.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, death by suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens. Unfortunately, Nevada ranks last in the nation for youth mental health, according to Mental Health America. “We applaud these students for stepping up to volunteer for this event,” said Event Organizer Grant Denton. “These students are literally ‘serving hope,’ and we encourage the community to help us address this important issue.” The event is co-sponsored by Campo, Honors Academy of Literature, NAMI Nevada and Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital. Reservations are required. Call (775) 737-9555 to make reservations, and specify that it is for the event, Serving Hope.
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RE/MAX Realty Affiliates (RRA) is excited to announce that Shauna Ganes, Reno agent and member of the David Morris Group, has recently published her first book, Do It and Be Glad You Did: A Not-Stodgy Business Book About What it Takes to Make It in Real Estate. Ganes, who has over a decade of experience working in real estate, is the first RRA team member to become a published author.
Getting Rid of the Fear & Horror of Public Speaking You'll learn to see a presentation as nothing more than an enlarged conversation, to use a few simple tricks to calm the butterflies, how to get through the first two minutes of your talk. The time that makes or breaks your fear of public speaking. >> Learn more Special offer for Reno+Spark Chamber Members 20% off with promo code B7545F38
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Knowledge is empowering. Nevada Cancer Coalition’s Resource Directory concentrates a lot of power.Navigating the medical system when facing cancer can be a daunting task for patients, survivors, and their family members. To support you in this challenging task, Nevada Cancer Coalition (NCC) has assembled resources in an easy-to-use online tool. NCC’s resource directory is continually updated to provide the most current information available. Access the directory here. *Please note, inclusion of a resource in the directory is not an endorsement of that resource or service.
New interactive regional parks directory
Ever wondered where to take the kids on a hot summer day, or find a park that has a bike trail? The Washoe County Health District’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program has teamed up with Washoe County’s GIS Technology Services to build an interactive regional parks directory promoting park usage in our community. Community members and visitors can now find and explore a park that meets their needs, visit (https://washoe.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=1ed70b2289d94a34b2a81bfdfa94e8f5 to view the parks directory.
Chamber Members Get Discount on Exploration of Local Trails Program
Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation is offering 20% of registrations for the Truckee Meadows Trails Challenge. All Chamber businesses and their employees are eligible. Set your goal, hike at your own pace, and take advantage of our monthly guided interpretive hikes. Experience the 50+ trails within 20 minutes of downtown Reno like never before with your own trails booklet and log book.
Domestic Violence affects our entire community; please help us spread the word!
Did you know that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced domestic violence in Nevada? Together, we can continue to shed light on domestic violence. Share your story with #SurvivorSpeaks to continue to bring awareness and inspire others. With access to our support groups, housing options and legal referrals, those who come to the Domestic Violence Resource Center for help are able to start rebuilding their lives immediately.
Easterseals Nevada
Easterseals Nevada believes the key to unlocking a child's potential is providing the highest level therapeutic intervention in a warm, nurturing and fun environment. Our team of highly skilled therapists provides state of the art occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and feeding therapy treatment practices. All while including parents and caregivers in every step of the process. Each therapy session is specifically designed to meet the child's needs. Our clinic offers specialized therapeutic equipment and treatment spaces to create an optimal experience for every family. Call 775-434-0488 for more information.
Island Buffet Earns #1 Spot
After a four-week campaign of online voting, Peppermill Reno’s Island Buffet has emerged victorious as the Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in Nevada, defeating 19 competitors throughout the state in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice contest. “It’s a huge honor to be home to the best buffet in all of Nevada, and we’re thrilled these bragging rights belong to Reno now,” said Billy Paganetti, General Manager of Peppermill Reno.
