February brings the groundhog and if he will see his shadow or not, possibly extending winter; Valentine’s Day and honoring Presidents Washington and Lincoln on Presidents Day. He shortest month of the year (It only has 28 days in 2023. Leap year is 2024.).

The City of Reno Parks and Recreation Department is in the midst of the annual Reno-Tahoe Senior Games, which began January 30 and run through February 14 (Valentine’s Day). Traditionally, the Winter Games close with a spectacular Valentine’s Dinner-Dance.  Participants in the Games can look forward to the event’s return this year at the Peppermill Hotel Casino from 5-8 pm. Tickets to the Dinner Dance are included in the registration fee for the Reno Tahoe Winter Games. Tickets to the dinner dance are $45.  You can register online at Reno.gov/Senior Games or by calling (775) 334-2262. The Deadline for registration for the Dinner-Dance is February 7. Scholarships do apply to the Senior Games events and activities.

If you wish to participate in the remaining events in the Reno Tahoe Senior Games you can find the event schedule here in Senior Spectrum or online Reno.gov/SeniorGames. For the remaining events, registration closes two days prior to an event. Registration fee for the games is $40 and each event is $10-$30.

Reno Parks and Rec also has its citizen request form. Residents are encouraged to fill out the form as to their thoughts about programs and concerns about Parks and Rec. The form is available at all Reno Park and Rec facilities as well as online at Reno.gov/parksandrec. The survey/questionnaire is an important tool as to what its citizens are seeking in recreational opportunities.

The Health and Wellness Division of Parks and Recreation is continuing its field trip series and currently has tickets to several shows at the Pioneer Theatre for the Performing Arts for its Broadway Comes to Reno Series. Tickets are available for February 18 to see Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Time of the Temptations: April 1 to see Come From Away, about a town in Newfoundland that found itself isolated: and May 20 to see Anastasia, a romantic mystery in the 1920’s. All shows are at 2 pm (a matinee) and run until about 5 pm. Tickets are $40 each and scholarships apply. There is a limit of two tickets to a person.

Have you applied for a City of Reno Parks and Rec scholarship?  Or renewed the one you had last year?  The City offers its low and fixed-income residents an affordable way to participate in recreational opportunities that provide mental stimulation, physical activity, and socialization. Scholarships are available at a 60%, 40% and 20% level depending on a resident’s household income.  Applications are available at all Reno Parks and Rec facilities and online at reno.gov/parksandrec, then look on the left-hand column for Important Information, click on it, and then select fee assistance/scholarships. Proof of Reno residency and proof of income are required.

Older Americans Month is May 2023 with this year’s theme, Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes. All three Senior Citizen Committees, The Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, The Washoe County Human Services Agency Senior Advisory Board and the Sparks Senior Citizen Advisory Committee met to discuss activities and events for Senior during the month of May. Watch for details coming out in March and April.  

The Reno Committee is already working on the second annual Senior Artists Exhibit and Show at the historic McKinley Arts and Culture Center. The Exhibit will run April 25 to June 3 in the East and West Galleries of the Center. Arrangements have also been made for the use of the auditorium for three weeks of the display. 

In its first year, the Senior Artist Exhibit and Show had 54 participants with over 110 piece of Art.  The Committee is expect more to participate this year’s last year was extremely successful. The Exhibit and Show is open to all Seniors (age 60+) who are creative as many many things can be Art. The show will accept paintings, crafts, paper crafting, jewelry, sculpture (size limited), photopgraphy, needlepoint felt, macrame, topiary, assemblage art, rock paintings, pottery, glass art, etc. the list of art is endless.  Those who wish to participate are limited to two (2) pieces with paints, photos, assemblage limited to no bigger that 16 x 20.  All pieces that require to be hung must has a frame and hanging on the back. 

If you are interested submission criteria is available by emailing [email protected]. Collection dates for the show are April 17-18-19 at McKinley Arts and Culture from 10 am to 1 pm. Show your creativity and participate or plan to participate in the Second Annual Senior Artist Exhibit and Show.