When 15-year-old baseball player Cole Ferren picks up a Kelley baseball glove, he notices the dense and soft feel of the leather and how it forms nicely to his hand.
Ferren is comfortable with the feel, and that’s why he’s purchased Kelley Athletic Co. gloves for three years.

“It breaks in really quickly, and it stays in the shape you want for a really long time,” said Ferren, who has two infielder’s gloves and a first baseman’s glove from Kelley. “I’ve had mine for two or three years, and it’s still in the same shape since I bought it.”

That’s just one description from one of Stew Colton’s customers. Colton, a former baseball coach at Reno High and the University of Nevada, opened up the 1,400-square-foot Kelley store in Reno three years ago. He started as a sales rep in 1997 for Kelley and has been providing local youth and adults with baseball and softball gear ranging from bats and gloves to uniforms.

“It’s everything you would need for baseball or softball,” Colton said. “Bats, gloves, batting gloves, catcher’s gear, travel bags, belts, socks, helmets, you name it. That’s kind of the niche were in for kids of all ages in little league and up to college.”

In addition, the store also has an indoor batting cage with full instruction, which is a nice resource for practice when the unpredictable northern Nevada weather strikes. The facility has three pitching machines, fitted for both baseball and softball, costing $35 for half an hour and $45 for an hour. The facility also offers instruction from former professionals Todd Coburn, Bob Ayrault, Juan Thomas, Brent Kordel and Dan Serafini. To train with those professionals costs $40 for a half-hour and $60 for an hour.

Kelley also has a program where customers can purchase its Infuego bat, then trade it in for a new bat for $100 within 12 months. Colton said some kids buy bats fit for Babe Ruth league, then trade it in within a year as they grow and get stronger or switch to a different league. With bats costing upwards of $350, the savings can be monumental. Colton said no other bat retailer has a trade-in program.

Colton also sponsors the Kelley Showcase, an all-star baseball game for senior high school baseball players in northern and southern Nevada. The event is in its 13th year and gathers college and pro scouts to view the local talent in the area. If not for this, some kids might not get any recognition.

“I thought if I kept putting on the showcase, it would become more known and more known and help some kids out,” said Colton, who provides all equipment for the players.

Text by Scott Oxarart
Photos by David Calvert

Stay KOOL with TurboKOOL, a 12-volt battery or solar-powered (solar panel not included) evaporative cooling system (swamp cooler) for recreational vehicles like yours. Its quiet spin-spray cooling technology is the first successful, trouble-free and economical evaporative cooling system of its type for RVs.  TurboKOOL is ideally suited for the “Burning Man” experience.

Hot, dirty air becomes clean, cool air as the spin-spray action washes out dust, pollen and impurities. TurboKOOL reduces the indoor air temperature from 15 to 30 degrees.  This feature-packed roof-mounted unit fits all standard 14” x 14” RV roof vents and delivers up to 750 CFM of cool, clean air while only drawing 4.6 amps.

Weighing only 16 lbs. and measuring 35” x 22” x 11.5”, TurboKOOL is compact and easy to install by the “do-it-yourselfer” with our easy-to-follow instructions.

TurboKOOL is available directly from the manufacturer Bachman Enterprises, Inc. in Gardnerville, Nevada. 1-800-326-4410 or  www.TurboKOOL.com

If this sounds like your key to “Burning Man” comfort, call Ben Bachman at the number above, he will be glad to help you price and order a unit. There is still time to have a TurboKOOL installed on your space ship before your “Burning Man” adventure begins.

It’s not cool…. It’s TurboKOOL!

Wright owns a clothing line called Infiniti, where she creates apparel that expresses the idea of simplicity and versatility though it is intricately constructed and designed. Her clothes breathe on the body, creating comfort and flow, and one can creatively interact with the clothing by using one garment in an array of different ways. A shirt can be transformed into a dress or a skirt. One can wear a vest and attach a gracefully constructed hoodie that also provides a delicate necklace. It is unlike any clothing line I have seen before.

Infiniti clothing, as Wright describes, came to her the first time she was on the playa at Burning Man. The creation and inspiration she witnessed sparked a passion and interest in making clothes for festivals. That soon evolved into a sophisticated and interesting concept for everyday fashion. She took a trip to Bali, where she connected with families and began working with them to collaboratively develop the line. Wright still works with these same families, helping support them as they work together on Infiniti. The name “Infiniti” comes from Wright’s belief in living in the “now,” for when this is accomplished, one has access to infinite time.

Wright’s ultimate goal is to create an eco-conscious and sustainable community where she can use profits from the line to help with her primary passion of green volunteer work. Wright is an active participant and one of the front-runners of the green movement in the Reno area. She hopes to work with local artists to provide designs to print on the clothing as well as incorporating a shared profit system with local green companies.

There is also the element of individuality of the Infiniti line, as Wright enjoys customizing each piece, allowing each client to choose from a variety of designs to screen print onto the clothing. Interested in purchasing and customizing your own Infiniti outfit? Wright sees clients by appointment only in order to truly give one a completely unique design. Her contact information and more clothing examples can be found at www.infinitiwear.com.

Infiniti seems to be the start of something much bigger for Reno: the beginning of what could be an entire movement supporting environmentally sound living in the biggest little city. What will Wright do next? The possibilities are infinite.

Text by Kate Long

Reno’s Hidden Gem

I am an avid lover and believer in the power of small businesses, and tend to think I’m rather fluent in the local businesses that frequent the Reno area. When I walked into the Red Chair, I thought to myself, “How have I never been here?”

The mellow tunes of Thievery Corporation were playing in the background as I walked through the store that was cleverly and stylishly adorned with modern abstract art, beautiful furniture, creatively concocted displays, chic clothing, and eclectic home décor. Soon after I walked in, I was amiably greeted by Aaryn Walker, the store owner.

To my surprise, Walker informed me that the store had been up and running for six and a half years. She used to own the store next to hers, now The Nest, and had two running businesses: Red Chair and Estate of Envy. She then decided to consolidate the two businesses into one and kept Red Chair as the store name.

Much of the art one can find in the store is actually the owner’s. Walker’s use of modern abstract in correlation with unique typography that spells out poetic phrases makes it one of a kind. Most of the furniture looks vintage and classic, or as she describes it, the furniture has a “mid-century modern” flair. In reality, the furniture is actually brand new. The second-hand furniture that she does have is in incredible condition and maintains that modern vintage style.

A lot of the furniture and home décor is also custom-made. The throw pillows have funky and rare fabrics that Walker hand-picked, and each piece of restored furniture is one of its kind. But it doesn’t stop there.

Jewelry, sculpture, greeting cards, candles, and clothing garnish the store with elegance and distinction. Local artists and vendors create the majority of what you can find at Red Chair, and the rest is most likely produced by small businesses outside of Reno.

“If Reno had an Anthropologie, this would be it,” explains Walker. Red Chair has the chic style of Anthropologie but with an artistic and local flair.

I couldn’t help but wonder how this little diamond in the rough in Reno had survived amidst the recession, but as Walker assured me, business is booming. In fact, 2009 was one of her best years in sales. It seems that once you become a Red Chair customer, you stay a Red Chair customer. It’s virtually impossible to leave empty-handed. Walker’s cheerful nature combined with the vibrant atmosphere and amazing products make you feel at home.

You can find Red Chair online at http://redchairandestateofenvy.blogspot.com Give the store a visit, and you won’t be disappointed.

Text by Kate Long
Photos by Nico Aguilera

This post was submitted by Zoe Miller.

Slant is a skier-owned and operated company that sustainably hand-builds skis just up the hill in Truckee. Their skis are built from the highest-quality ingredients and are assembled with precision and care in their factory. Slant manufactures a limited quantity of skis each season, which assures an extremely high level of quality and exclusiveness that any serious skier can appreciate.

Owner Josh Bennett started making skis a few years ago for himself and had great success. “I’ve enjoyed the process of making my own skis so much that I’ve poured all my energy (and money) into starting my own ski company,” said Bennett. “I was looking for a ski that would last for more than one season of hard riding, with years of carpentry and ski tech experience I am able to build skis that meet the needs of the most demanding skiers.”

The core of each Slant ski is milled from vertically laminated bamboo, which is both strong and earth-friendly. Slant’s sidewalls are made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, which has the highest impact resistance in the industry. A high-strength layer of triaxial fiberglass is placed above and below the core. The top of each pair of skis has sublimated custom graphics that are created by local artists. Finally, a top-secret epoxy mixture is squeezed into every layer to create a high-performance ski that is both incredibly durable and earth-friendly.

Bennett chose to work with bamboo because of its physical properties. Bamboo has better tensile and compression strength than steel, is harder than other woods, and is very renewable. It is able to replenish itself like grass – with some species growing up to 24 inches in just 24 hours. No other natural material has comparable properties, which makes bamboo the perfect core to a long-lasting pair of sustainable skis.

Slant Skis are handmade in the United States and not in a factory overseas, which saves money through reduced shipping distances and also trims greenhouse gas emissions. Whenever possible, Slant promises to recycle and reduce waste and is also committed to offset their impact on the environment by donating $10 from every pair of skis sold to http://carbonfund.org. Every time they sell a pair of skis, they help prevent one ton of carbon pollution, which is more than enough pollution to offset your new pair of skis and a few carpools to the mountain.

Slant is offering three men’s models this season, including some unique “rockered” skis and two women’s models. Check out http://www.slantskis.com for more info on sizing and specs and to purchase online. There will be local demos happening at resorts this season, so be sure to become their fan on Facebook for all the latest info.

This post was submitted by Courtney Barnett.

Sasha’s Boutique
We offer a variety of sizes, designs, and styles from classic to cutting-edge, from all over the world while specializing in personalized service and private fittings by request. Sasha’s will dazzle your senses as you discover your very own Extraordinary Fashion Experience! Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11-6, Sunday 12-4
250 West First St.
(775) 323-4555
www.sashas-reno.com

This post was submitted by Courtney Barnett.

The National Yogurt Association states yogurt is meets a wide variety of nutritional needs at every stage of life with excellent source of calcium, protein and many vitamins.

U-SWIRL is a self-serve frozen yogurt restaurant chain that has recently opened their doors in the Southtowne Crossing Shopping Center. Patrons have plenty to choose from – with 16 rotating flavors, including a variety of non-fat, no-sugar added, non-dairy, and tart selections, in addition to the classics. After you choose your yogurt, you can choose to adorn it with more than 60 toppings, including seasonal fresh fruit and granola.

Once you have finished selecting from all of the choices, you place your final opus on a scale and pay only $0.36 cents per ounce.

With an ample 2,200 square ft, U-SWIRL provides more than enough room to have a study session with a group of friends, a quick business meeting, or a place to just hang out. They offer free wi-fi and late hours.

You can follow U-SWIRL Reno on Twitter at http://twitter.com/uswirlreno.

U-SWIRL Reno

57 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., Ste. D Reno

775.745.8451

http://u-swirlreno.com

Not all pet care services are created equal. The first step is finding a solution that works for you and your pet. Some dogs do fine in kennels while some do not. Take your pet’s personality and temperament into consideration when choosing pet care.

One alternative to kenneling is private boarding. While not in their own home, pets are given “free range” family-style accommodations in the homes of professional sitters and are just part of the family while their owners are away.

Having a professional pet sitter stay in your home with your pet is another option. In-home overnight stays let pets maintain the familiarity and comfort of their own home environment. This allows pets to experience less anxiety, have lesser health risks and benefit from more personal attention.

When hiring a professional pet sitter, make sure they are bonded, licensed, and insured and ask for a free consultation. It is essential to meet your sitter and for your sitter to meet your pets to make sure everyone is happy with the relationship. The last thing you need to worry about is your beloved pet when you’re enjoying the holidays away.

To find out more about pet care options with Fetch! Pet Care of Reno, call 775.787.9090 or visit www.fetchpetcare.com.

Text by Jen Eastwood

Photos provided by store

Fetch! Pet Care of Reno

2330 Blue Canyon Ct.

775.787.9090

www.fetchpetcare.com

Grassroots Books was originally started as an internet bookseller, and after a brief stint at another location, they moved to their current spot on Grove. Although only a month old, word of mouth about Grassroots Books has been spreading fast.

The store itself stays true to its internet roots, offering low prices and a wide selection. With over 20,000 titles and more being added daily, you’re sure to find something on every visit. Despite the name, they are more than just a bookstore: they also carry CDs, audio books, DVDs, and some software.

Their simple pricing plan makes finding the price easy and provides a welcome relief for the wallet. Kid’s books and pocket paperbacks are $0.99. All other paperbacks are $1.99, and hard covers are $2.99. Some selections do run higher, but the prices are prominent and easy to find.

If those prices aren’t low enough, check out one of their parking lot sales where everything in the lot is just $.99. This isn’t a small lot sale either. The one I attended had over 15,000 books. The parking lot sales usually run all weekend and culminate on Sundays with a wrap-up bag sale where you can fill an entire grocery bag with books for only $3.99. At 5pm on these same Sundays, Grassroots gives back to the community by offering teachers and nonprofits free books from those leftover.

So come check out Grassroots Books. They also boast a very friendly, helpful staff. To help keep prices low, they don’t take credit cards, so be sure to bring your checkbook or some cash.

Text by Dan Sullivan

Photo by Arturo Torres

Grassroots Books

660 E. Grove St.

775.826.6556

http://grassrootsbooks.com

Hours: Mon – Sun 9am-8pm

Home Concepts, a design resource center in Truckee, CA, recently received top honors from Kitchen and Bath Business (K+BB) Magazine. An acclaimed design center and showroom, Home Concepts specializes in kitchen and bath design and offers a showroom with a great selection of quality cabinetry, unique hardware for doors and cabinets, a vast array of stone, tile and flooring options, as well as interior and exterior doors.

In the magazine’s competition, the designers are judged in a variety of areas. “Projects are judged on aesthetics, how creatively limitations and client requests have been met, functionality and fresh thinking,” explains K+BB Executive Editor Alice Liao.

What received the award was a European-styled kitchen designed by Home Concepts’ designers Ruth Cross and Marcio Decker. The home is on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and was inspired by French chateaus and the homeowner’s passion for antiques.

Marcio Decker, who owns Aspen Leaf Interiors, also won a Merit Award for a home on the West Shore that embraced old-time design in a modern home and setting. “The clients wanted the home and the bathroom to have the feeling of having been there for 80 to 90 years,” said Decker. “Lake Tahoe’s blue waters were the main inspiration for the bathroom’s color scheme.”

With co-designer Betty Scott, Decker also received Honorable Mention for a master bathroom design in Lahontan that was built by Griggs Custom Homes. Together, Decker and Scott aimed to bring the rustic outdoors inside by using raw, natural materials in clean, contemporary lines.

Check out their impressive image gallery at www.homeconceptstruckee.com. To schedule an appointment with a Home Concepts kitchen and bath designer, call 530.582.2119.

10198 Church Street, Truckee, CA  96161

530-582-2119

www.homeconceptstruckee.com

Is it possible to increase profits and boost employee morale simply by changing a light bulb? As simple as it may sound, this is exactly what Green Pro Systems, a locally-based company, offers their clients.

By utilizing a unique, American-made LED (light emitting diode) bulb, Green Pro has decreased energy consumption in numerous local and national businesses, including a recent retrofit for the Tahoe Truckee School District.

Founded by Dr. Dave Mattocks, one of the original creators of “sustainable business practices,” Green Pro provides an almost immediate return on your investment. Unlike solar, which takes years to see a payback, LED lighting systems produce an almost immediate savings in energy costs, typically up to 30% in the first year and increasing yearly after that. In addition LED lighting has been proven to increase employee productivity because they see and feel better due to the healthier, full spectrum natural light.

Dr. Mattocks, aka “Dr. Dave,” is a truly dedicated environmentalist, and it was his concern for a greener world that developed into Green Pro Systems. In a time when CEO’s and corporate leaders don’t necessarily “live” the company philosophy – think the CEO of Chrysler driving a Ferrari, not a Chrysler – Dave truly lives the “green dream.” After coining the term “sustainability” before it was even in the dictionary, Dave has made it his and his company’s goal. Prior to Green Pro, Dr. Dave worked for numerous organizations throughout the world, developing environmental systems and raising billions for environmental projects.

Thanks to Green Pro, not only the Truckee Meadows, but the entire United States is becoming a greener more environmentally-friendly place, securing a healthy happy future for generations to come. To find out how to improve your home or workplace, please visit their website at www.greenprosystems.com.

PO Box 1505 Truckee, CA 96160

530.550.8030

www.greenprosystems.com

October 14 starting @ 7:30 The Studio

Please visit our website for any further information or to just check out our yoga schedules and any other up coming events. www.thestudioreno.com

User Submitted Content

This post was submitted by Cheryl Bowers.

Specializing in recycled clothing, Junkee is home to fashionable clothing at more than reasonable prices. The massive 8800 sq ft store, which is located in the heart of Reno’s Midtown District, sells clothing, shoes, and accessories for men and women. It also sells items created by local artists and even has an antique mall inside. You literally can change your wardrobe and your home all in one location!

When owner Jessica Schneider decided to open this shop, she wanted something big and over the top. “It had to be all or nothing,” said Schnieder.

With incredible store displays and rack-top displays as well, Schneider’s shop definitely makes an impact. Her store is just as wonderful and eccentric as she is.

Schneider has trained her staff to look for clothing that is vintage or theatrical and items that are selling currently. All items must be in really good condition (so don’t take your dirty laundry there for cash). They pay $1-$3 per item of clothing and only accept a few pieces at a time (about five percent of what you bring in). They buy clothes between 12-4pm Monday through Saturday and have an allotted amount of money per day. Any items not purchased can be donated to St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop.

So get on down to Junkee Clothing Exchange and make over your clothing and your home in one convenient and super hip location.

960 S. Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89502
(775) 322-5865

Hours: Every day 11am-7pm

Text by Michelle Montoya

Workshop will provide general information about publishing a book. This workshop is for the beginner just starting out to the more seasoned author who is looking for additional information.

If you want to publish a book through traditional means or self-publishing, this is the place to be. LRP Printing & LeRue Press, 280 Greg St. #10, Reno, NV For more information, call 775-356-1004 and ask for Lenore or Jan.

This post was submitted by Janice Hermsen.

Learn about the new tax laws that will affect your income and develop a strategy to address them at a free Tax Survival Workshop on Wed., Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. at 1325 Airmotive Way, Suite 390.
Tanya McCaffery, certified public accountant and president of the CFO Group, can help you understand the new changes in tax laws and explain how to audit-proof records.
The Tax Survival Workshop is a MacLean Financial Group network of business professionals’ seminar. The workshop is free but seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information on the workshop or to register, call 775-329-3041 or visit www.macleanfinancialgroup.com.

This post was submitted by Carol Infranca.

Sasha’s Boutique sits near the corner of Arlington Ave. and 1st St. and on the north side of the Truckee River between Java Jungle and La Bussola. This boutique is a great place for those looking to do some local shopping or who don’t want to see the same brands seen at the nearest franchise store. Sasha’s sells fun, classic, and affordable women’s clothing such as the Stop Staring line, which specializes in vintage dresses. Many of the items at Sasha’s Boutique would make a great gift for any age woman, and is a place where both mom and daughter can find fashions they each can enjoy.

Owner Robin Zakzeski, second owner of Sasha’s Boutique, is always happy to help customers pick out a clothing for daytime wear or new outfits for parties and prom. If something doesn’t fit correctly, customers can ask Zakzeski about a private fitting.

After picking out a new outfit, customers have no need to go anywhere else for accessories as Sasha’s carries handbags and jewelry. Zakzeski tries to offer as many items created by local artists, so much of the jewelry there is locally made.

During Reno’s monthly Wine Walk (on the third Saturday), participants can stop by Sasha’s Boutique, where Zakzeski pours a glass of wine. Participants of the walk who arrive at Sasha’s early can also pick out a hand-painted wine glass, which has become popular at the event.

Sasha’s carries various styles throughout the year, so keep checking back to see what is in.

For more information on Sasha’s Boutique, visit their website at http://www.sashas-reno.com.

By Robyn J. Oxborrow
Photos by Dana Nollsch

250 West First Street
Reno, NV 89501
775.323.4555
sasha@sashas-reno.com

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. until the weather gets colder.

As I pulled up to the house, I saw a variety of wind art pieces precisely placed in the front yard. One of his most recent creations is called Sunburst, a brilliant art piece that towers about ten feet overhead and has opposing wind driven rotors propelled by small squares of copper that act as fan blades. The Sunburst piece accelerates and decelerates at the same time, causing a sense of chaos for the viewer.

Bracco and his hospitable wife, Linda, invited me in to the house to conduct the interview. His 35 years in the metal working industry have come to an end, but he has merged his experience from the development of specialized fan blades and his creative side to create wind art sculptures. Bracco said each of his art pieces “has to impress me before it goes into the yard or to the street fair.”

I asked Bracco if his wind art sculptures generate electricty. He gently laughed. “No, they don’t generate electricity,” he said. “They generate energy.”

The art pieces are designed to withstand winds between 80 and 90 miles per hour. His gusty backyard is the perfect testing ground for the wind sculptures. He has an art piece called the Disco Ball, which he says is shiny enough to reflect the moonlight disco-ball-style in your backyard. According to Bracco, “To make it in art, you have to be totally unique.” I think he accomplished his goal because each piece is completely unique.

You can find an example of his wind art at the Wildflower Village (4395 W. 4th St.), can visit www.windzarts.com, email him at roger@windzarts.com, or reach him by phone at 775.972.3903.

Text by Steve White
Photos by Dana Nollsch