September, the start of the traditional performing arts season, is filled with opportunity for the art. UNR Performing Arts Series kicks off with the Ethos Percussion Group on September 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at Nightingale Hall. Devoted to the incredibly diverse world of percussion music. Later in September, T.S. Monk appears at the Pioneer Center on the 26th to kick off the Washoe County Concert Series.   Drummer T.S. Monk just released Higher Ground, is launching his own label, and is the chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute. Get ready for some incredible music!

At the Nevada Museum of Art, hot off the playa, Kate Raudenbush’s Guardian of Eden.

The Gazette covers its installation at the Museum.  I think this beautiful piece will be a welcome addition downtown.

Back to school is traditionally the time when the performing arts launch their seasons.  This year, the Reno Philharmonic opens their season with Joy & Passion.  You’re already an expert; you’ll know Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.

The Reno Chamber Orchestra kicks off with Wings & Strings, a fund-raising gala at the Grand Sierra Resort, Thursday, September 13th at 5:30 p.m.  Of course, this event ties into the Reno National Championship Air Racing Show.

First the balloons, then the air planes.  You know it’s fall in Reno.

This year marks the Nevada Opera’s 40th season … making them the oldest professional performing arts organization in Nevada. The Anniversary Concert October 5th is a great intro to opera — it’ll feature Michael Borowitz (who is an amazing talent and we are SO lucky to have him) and all of the best of opera. Click here to see him in action. Everything you already know from Bugs Bunny and Bad News Bears and completely improbably, Grand Theft Auto ads. A little Youtube research and you can be a total expert!

the positive! Join in the celebration! Not many communities take the time to recognize all those unsung heroes who quietly go about improving quality of life. But Truckee Meadows Tomorrow does just that, in a big way!

Join thousands of your friends and neighbors to recognize the contributions of the Silver Star winners at Accentuate the Positive, October 5, 2007 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in the Rose Ballroom. Don’t miss it!

I’ve spent the last decade working with Truckee Meadows Tomorrow on tracking and improving our quality of life.  Now, more than ever, we need to focus on protecting and preserving the best of the Truckee Meadows.   

It’s great to see some of this hard work being recognized nationally:  Truckee Meadows Tomorrow hosted a reception for Paul Epstein, www.epsteinandfass.com, a New York-based consulting firm on March 30th.  Paul is the author of Results That Matter a book that presents tools for communities to take charge of making their cities and towns better places to live.  The book focuses on engaging citizens and measuring their accomplishments.  For more on his book:  www.resultsthatmatter.net

Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, a local community-based nonprofit dedicated to improving our quality of life, is a featured case study in the book.  For more about Truckee Meadows Tomorrow click on:  www.quality-of-life.org

While we’ve come a long way, we still have a lot of work to pass this wonderful quality of life that we enjoy on to our children.  I hope you’ll join me.