In town for Worldcon (Reno, Sparks: hotel, house, buy)

[Larry Caldwell]

I'll be in town for the World Science Fiction Convention at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center August 17-21. I'm staying at the Peppermill (Peppertree? whatever) and mostly will just hang out with the thousands of authors and fans, but have a couple questions:

1) Where are the good liquor stores? Oregon has state controlled liquor stores that carry a limited selection. I'm interested in Dutch Genevers, California muscat brandies, etc., none of which are available in Oregon.

2) Are there any good shows in town? I may get tired of SF and decide to branch out. I suppose I could just ask the concierge...

Thanks in advance. FIAWOL! (Fandom Is A Way Of Life)

[tanmctee]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I'll be in town for the World Science Fiction Convention at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center August 17-21. I'm staying at the Peppermill (Peppertree? whatever) and mostly will just hang out with the thousands of authors and fans, but have a couple questions:

1) Where are the good liquor stores? Oregon has state controlled liquor stores that carry a limited selection. I'm interested in Dutch Genevers, California muscat brandies, etc., none of which are available in Oregon.

2) Are there any good shows in town? I may get tired of SF and decide to branch out. I suppose I could just ask the concierge...

Thanks in advance. FIAWOL! (Fandom Is A Way Of Life)

WELCOME!!! Hard to believe it is already time for WorldCon!!! The Peppermill should be able to direct you to some activities; howver, you might consider the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival --- fund event set on the shores of Lake Tahoe and plenty to do.

There will be some great people watching as individuals begin to make their way through Reno enroute to Burning Man.

The Eldorado has Hairspray playing in their theater. The Pioneer Underground offers Comedy every weekend. The Grand Sierra Resort has Vicki Lawarence and Mama, A Two Woman Show on August 19th. Great Greek Food at the Reno Greek Festival. Tower of Power playing at Boomtown August 20th

That should give you a good start; although, I cannot imagine why you would want to sneak away from WorldCon....smiles!!

As for alcohol, it is available in every grocery store. I think you will definitely want to check out the new Total Wine and More store, it is about two miles from the Peppermill on Virginia and you should be albe to find what you are looking for.

Have a great time in Reno!!!

[212david51]

Ben's liquor store at the corner of Lakeside and Moana, about a mile SW of the Peppermill. They have a wine tasting every Friday night at 5 PM. You pay $5 but if you buy anything it gets refunded.

The hotel should be able to tell you what is in town in the way of shows. However you should also check on what is going on up at Lake Tahoe.

If you are into sporting goods, Scheel's over in Sparks is more interesting than the Cabelas west of Reno. If you only got time for one, go to Scheel's.

[Larry Caldwell]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll definitely check out the booze stores for hard liquor. Wine, not so much. I live in Western Oregon, after all, and world class wine vintages are literally in my back yard. I'm not far from Pyrennes Vinyards, and if you get a chance to taste their 2008 Syrah, don't pass it up. Sadly, this year has been cool and damp, so the 2011 vintage will be vin exceedingly ordinaire.

This is my first Worldcon, but I remember Westercon in Seattle, when I got tired and decided to take in a movie. I walked across the street to something called "Independence Day", and was really entertained. How appropriate.

Getting away for a vacation is a rare thing for my wife and me. We finally found a house sitter to take care of our four large dogs. I'm looking forward to seeing a little more of Reno than the inside of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.