November is National Veterans & Military Family Month…read more An army marches on its stomach so I attended the Sun Valley Nevada Annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast held here because none more cherished in a Veteran's life than those who lighten the burdens of Veterans from Veterans military Service. The place was clean; tablecloths, patriotic centerpieces and mints were placed; coffee, milk, orange juice, pancakes, butter and syrup, sausage, and some mighty delicious perfectly cooked bacon was served. Red, white or blue bags filled with valuable information and gifts for Veterans were distributed. Pins with the Nevada flag and US flag were given away. The breakfast was opened with Pledge of Allegiance. Here's my Shout Out to those who were there to serve Veterans: The Girl Scouts who graciously and courteously and lovingly served we Veterans. The three women from Catholic Charities who patiently provided valuable information for a wide variety of services for Veterans. The Sun Valley General Improvement District Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Susan Severt, Chair Sandra Ainsworth, Treasurer Carmen Ortiz, Secretary Reverend Joseph Barstow, and Trustee Michael Rider who all graciously and courteously and lovingly and unpretentiously attended to we Veterans. It is organization such as Sun Valley General Improvement District Board of Trustees that are on the front lines of fighting to reduce the staggering and horrifying number of Veterans who daily succumb to suicide at the rate of more than twice that of non-Veterans. The politicians and candidates and the representative from Washoe County Sheriffs' Office who attended. The politicians and candidates who did attend graciously put aside their political differences and made the breakfast only all about the Veterans. I saw that a couple Veterans who are unable to drive received rides home from a couple of the candidates. Next week I'm sure some oaf will disappoint me at some self-proclaimed 5-Star business with the fact that they have no clue what a Veteran is after I inquire as to their Veterans Discount, then insult me with their cavalier reason why they don't is respect is earned. For this moment though, the love and respect and support for Veterans here was so palpable that I was buoyed up by it and remained so for the rest of the day. Here this event was publicized as for Veterans and Veterans were placed front and center throughout the whole event by the hosts and attendees. The Veterans event I was at the day before, see https://www.yelp.com/biz/nevada-veterans-memorial-plaza-sparks, well, when it came time to cut the ribbon to formally open the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza, an ostentatious gaggle of overweening public officials, the vast majority of whom are NOT a Veteran (we Veterans are an extraordinarily rare 7% of the population), all rushed up and crowded together to get their pictures taken and to cut that ribbon all the while clearly doing their best to make it about themselves and how important they believe they are over the importance of Veterans. I strongly felt that ribbon cutting to formally open the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza was the role of ONLY Veterans, and definitely NOT any non-Veterans. There were certainly plenty of Veterans there who could have and should have been the ONLY ones to have cut that ribbon. Those public officials from the day before Veterans event at Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza can stand to learn a lot from the humble public officials who hosted today's Veterans Appreciation Breakfast who went out of their way to make it NOT about the public officials and only about and for Veterans. I've attended several of the past years breakfasts and this years was, as are so many organizations and businesses, struggling to overcome the ravages of Covid-19, so was a far pared-down event. I particularly enjoyed a past year's Veterans Appreciation Breakfast where the Washoe County Sheriff, who'd chosen NOT to Serve in America's Armed Forces, served me my breakfast. I hope next year's event brings back the local public officials and politicians with a stern warning to the politicians and public officials that the event is only about serving the Veterans, and brings back the couple dozen Veterans organizations and community resource groups that in years past completely lined the room's walls with their tables and volunteers. I also hope the future Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts brings back the press from previous years as the press also was missing from this year's Veterans Appreciation Breakfast. This Veterans Appreciation Breakfast is held every year about this time so check back for exactly what date and see you there next year. Dyk that Nevada's motto is All For Our Country?

Unless your a client they do not care. I used to be a client but stopped going for obvious reasons…read more Im totally done with the va. The va is 75% of the reason 22 vets commit suicide a day yet they refuse to change their approach. Its almost like thats what they want?

We gave our today that you might have your tomorrow…read more "The Sparks American Legion Post was named for Lauren "Duby" Gilbert Reid who was killed in action on October 8, 1918. Lauren Gilbert Reid was born in Gold Hill, Storey County, Nevada on March 28th 1896. Although reared on the Comstock, he was well known in other western Nevada counties where he had a legion of friends. When the call to the colors came Reid entered military service on June 24, 1918. After training he was sent to France to serve with Company G, 308th Infantry of the 77th Division. The unit entered the fight of the Argonne forest on the extreme left end of the line in September 1918. It was the fate of this young soldier to be one of the men in the famous "Lost Battalion". He was wounded by shrapnel and died the next day of his wounds on October 8, 1918. On the gateway of a little cemetery in France is written these words: "We gave our today that you might have your tomorrow." The current Post building was built in 1980." The Duby Reid Sparks American Legion Post 30 is an active Veterans organization of some 160 members. Their goal is to provide important services to Veterans and our community. American Legion Post 30 members support the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, High School Junior ROTC, Operation Comfort Warrior, Honor Flight, and many more local and national charitable programs. They also have a Legion Riders affiliate. The building is available to American Legion members and the public for special events including wedding receptions, memorial services, celebration of life services, anniversary parties and more. They have tables, chairs, a kitchen and approximately 3500 square feet of usable space. Regular meetings are 7 pm the second Wednesday of each month. As an American Legion member, I treasure the American Legion as it is another valuable Veterans service organization.

The American Legion Hall offers a nice space to hold events. It has several rooms to separate…read moreareas. Theres also a space outside A kitchen is available too and it's great to support our Vets!

This is a very special place for helping veterans and their loved ones…read moreTara Norman as well as the rest of the staff are truly awesome. We had struggles and she went out the way to help and show us new things. Tara provided ways for us to get on our feet as well as helping me to better my resume and find a job. Nation's Finest goes out the way to help Veterans with food and clothing as well as toiletries. It is really great support place as well. Thank You Tara at Nations Finest as well as Nathan for looking out for Veterans.

We Veterans were left behind by Nation's Finest and Nation's Finest does NOT have our Six…read more I DON'T recommend because this business is clearly NOT for Veterans and ONLY exists to pay the salaries of those there who are NOT helping Veterans. One of my several Veteran friends who lives in Reno came upon some hard times, including losing his job due to his military Service connected disabilities and he was worried about being evicted from his apartment. I told him about this place, we arranged an appointment for him on Wednesday, 1 November 2023 at 0900, and for him to drive us to and from then. The person who answered the phone at this Nation's Finest location wouldn't tell us their name, nor the name of the person they made the appointment with. We showed up for the appointment only to be told we had no appointment and they couldn't help us. They made another appointment for us Wednesday, 15 November 2023 at 1000, but wouldn't tell us the name of the person they made the appointment with. We asked to use the bathroom and the person pointed to a sign "No Public Bathrooms". We said we were NOT public, that we were there for an appointment. We were still denied the use of the bathroom. Having ready access to clean, safe public restrooms is vital part of personal and public health. Adequate public restrooms are fundamental to human dignity, and are especially critical for people like my husband, a Veteran (and other Veterans, especially the elderly ones like me) with military Service-connected Agent Orange-related prostate damage requiring him to have frequent access to a bathroom. The place was dirty. We went downstairs to the advertised Pantry and Resource Center, which also has signs "No Public Bathrooms" posted. A woman barked at us demanding to see our Veterans ids. There were six spaghetti squash and NO other food. We were told we could only take one squash. We asked about cooking utensils and winter clothes, gloves, hats, and boots and were told none are available. The place was dirty. We showed up for the next appointment only to be told the person we had an appointment with was not available and that AGAIN they couldn't help us. There were still signs stating "No Public Bathrooms". The place was still dirty. We went downstairs to the advertised Pantry and Resource Center, which also has signs "No Public Bathrooms" posted. A woman again barked at us demanding to see our Veterans ids. There were a very limited supply of some canned goods and NO other food. We were told we could only take one can of each item letting us take only four cans. We again asked about cooking utensils and winter clothes, gloves, hats, and boots and again were told none are available. The place was still dirty.

Friendliness and camaraderie rules at the VFW's Reno Battle Born Bunker. The Canteen is open each…read moreTuesday through Saturday from 4 pm - 8 pm. Originally founded in 1899, as the American Veterans of Foreign Service, the Veterans of Foreign Wars continues to be a voice and haven for Veterans, returning and currently deployed U.S. Armed Forces service members, and their families.

My neighbor invited me to join her in viewing a play at this venue. I thought it would be…read moreinteresting to watch a war themed play in an underground military bunker. It was already dark when we arrived, so I didn't notice much about the outside other than the gravel parking lot. We walked down a ramp and entered a fair sized gathering room that included walls decked out with posters from all of the various wars in which the veterans had fought, card tables with plain padded chairs, and a bar, and the room was clouded with smoke. I am no fan of cigarette smoke, so this was a disappointing discovery. After the lights and sounds were checked properly, we were invited back to the bunker area for the performance, where we sat in scattered folding chairs. The air was much fresher and cooler than the gathering room, and no smoking was allowed in this area, thank goodness. The play, appropriately named "Wounded", was an intense drama about wounded soldiers from the war in Iraq. It was performed well, and the bunker was a great aesthetic to the setting. It was put on by Merry War Theater Group, who presented themselves as a pop-up ensemble whose acts can be followed on Facebook or through their e-mail list, as they do not perform in just one arena. My heart and gratitude go out to our Veterans. However, I would like to preserve my lungs from the wretches of second hand smoke.

I haven't been to the Nugget in years, frankly it was a hole and mostly still is…read more We had concert tickets for the outdoor venue. We heard it was redone and better. The casino is still so smokey. They either need better ventilation or prohibit smoking completely. The patrons at the Horseshoe Bar were obviously overserved. Screaming drunks, stumbling people. Honestly, where is security? Our room was on the 19th floor. It was a corner room and actually quite nice (until it wasn't) the king bed was comfy, there was a chaise lounge and 2 chairs. We overlooked a train yard and metal recycling plant. If you looked up, instead of down, the view was quite nice. Then, it happened. Hot water was running brown in both sinks and the shower. I called the desk, they said let it run. We did. Still brown. The white wash cloths were discolored. She said the cold water is okay to drink. Ummm, no. I asked for bottled water to be sent up. At midnight, when it still hadn't arrived I called the desk. No answer. I affixed a note to the door asking to not knock, just leave the water, which they did. The only redeeming quality is Anthony's Chop House. I won't ever stay again.

Bed bugs, two room moves, and absolutely no mitigation plan!!!…read more I have never written a public review before, despite plenty of less than perfect experiences. I worked in the service industry for years and generally believe businesses deserve the opportunity to make things right. The Nugget had that opportunity and chose not to.. During our stay for Hot August Nights, we discovered bed bugs in room 1638. Security responded promptly, confirmed the issue, documented it, and moved us to room 2838. That replacement room had a long standing AC leak, saturated carpet, peeling wallpaper, and visible growth behind the wall covering. Engineering inspected it the next morning and told us we absolutely could not remain there. We were moved again, to room 1242. The frontline employees were kind, responsive, and genuinely helpful. Management was the problem. We repeatedly asked what the hotel could do to prevent us from carrying bed bugs into the next rooms or home with us. There was no laundry service, no heat treatment option, no containment procedure offered, and no written policy or protocol available when requested. We were allowed to move the same luggage and belongings from 1638 to 2838 and then to 1242 with no mitigation whatsoever. If we had picked up hitchhikers in the original room, we could easily have carried them through multiple hotel rooms and eventually home. We are now home and spending our own time laundering and heat treating our belongings because the property offered no assistance with this before our departure. Manager on Duty Cole Hughes was particularly disappointing. After initially avoiding speaking with us directly, he ultimately offered no meaningful assistance and told us, in substance, that once we left the property the problem would be ours. He then directed us back to Security, whose staff had already done far more to help us than management had. We requested management follow up in writing while we were still on property. No response. We requested information about what to do if we brought bed bugs home. No answer. We were told Risk Management would contact us in 7 to 15 business days. Before departure, I ultimately obtained the Risk Management phone number from Security myself. I called after returning home and left a message. This is what bothers me most: the Nugget responded to the rooms, but not to the guests. Moving us was necessary. It was not a complete response to a bed bug exposure. If this is what corporate ownership has turned guest service into, relocate, document, pass the customer to Risk Management, and wait for them to leave, it is incredibly disappointing. I am writing this because future guests should know: if you encounter bed bugs here, based on our experience, do not assume the property has a meaningful procedure in place to help prevent you from carrying them elsewhere or taking them home. Security and Engineering deserve credit. Management absolutely does not.

Didnt help me at all, told me to fill out some paperwork and they would mail it. I couls easily do…read morethis myself. Offered no advice on any of my claims, and does not respond to e-mails. terrible.

Do you want to learn what it feels like to be spit on like your family members did in 1968 when…read morecoming back from fighting for your country? Do you want to remember the PTSD of a grandparent who hit every island in Japan? Then go and reach out for help with Maria Ruvalcaba | National Area Supervisor - Area 9. She will make sure you have the worst of worst experiences while working with the VA. She is located in Reno Nevada.

I was recently here to assist with an event. Listen the bad review is solely based on what…read morehappened. This is actually a large venue and really nice on the inside. BUT that does not excuse what took place. No one was at the venue until 15mins before it started so we couldn't setup. The Phone number we had kept going to voicemail and if it wasn't for someone who stopped by to speak to the owner about working together we would have never gotten inside to setup for the event. IDK what the story was as to why no one was there but really. Luckily it was still good. and luckily the food caterer was able to get the food out in time.

Looking for fellowship and a sense of purpose?…read more Well this is the place for you. They have a great time, help children and treat each other like family. I am proud to be a Shriner and invite you to be one also. www.beashrinernow.com

So, I'm back this year, as usual, for my annual in and out of Burning Man. But something hit…read moredifferent this year. Nothing really has changed in terms if the rooms (basic but nice and clean), and the service remains pleasant. The difference however, was this year, I brought my daughter. She was craving Asian food, so I asked Heather, the bartender at Cafe Central, the main restaurant near the Libby. Sue suggested the pho and potstickers. I was shocked. The pho was EXCELLENT. The pot stickers were good, and the pad Thai, while a bit dry, was flavorful (pro tip: ask for a small cup of the pho broth, and pour 2-3 soup spoons- not more- over the pad Thai, and add a dab of hoisin sauce..... it'll be magic). The Asian food here was surprisingly good! So good, in fact, that I ended up eating all my meals here for the last 3 days. HUGE thanks to Heather for the wonderful service and fantastic recommendations!

The rooms are clean and have most things you need. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and of course…read moretowels and wash cloths. The beds are clean and quite comfortable. The pillows are down and can be adjusted to your liking. The room has a small Keurig with three types of coffee. Check in was very simple and quick. The staff are very yuck to attend to your needs and get you into your room. The casino is clean and not as smoky as most casinos.

Great people, great vibes ! We always have an amazing Saturday night when we go there - which is…read morealmost every Saturday night!

Visited Pokher Knights during a blizzard - cozy and welcoming crowd, but the vibe is more basement…read moreparty than upscale club. Staff crossing boundaries (yes, security joined the fun) felt off, and the space lacked polish. We had an okay night, but between the lowbrow feel and loose rules, it's not a must-repeat for us. Fun in a pinch, but not our top pick. See our full review here: https://www.vanillaswingers.com/renos-pokher-nights-review-snowed-in-stripped-down-and-shocked/