A large fence going up around the arboretum at Reno's Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

The Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a mosaic of groves, gardens and interpretive sites featuring native plants and treasures from around the world. The landscaped park contains expensive flora, botanicals, benches and memorial sites. Washoe County parks operations superintendent Eric Crump estimated the value of trees and shrubs at the arboretum at nearly $3 million. Unfortunately, a spruce tree was stolen last December and other types of theft and destruction have occurred. To deter vandalism, the high black fence is constructed—a $30,000 project. Does it make sense? According to information in a recent Question & Answer column in the Reno Gazette-Journal, the park will not be locked and, initially, not completely be enclosed by the fence.

Loving open space? Find parks, preserves, forests and trails at Explore Reno-Tahoe and beyond.

Reference
Ask the RGJ: Why the fence at Rancho San Rafael? Reno Gazette-Journal, February 12, 2014, 3A.

“Beer & Wine” snow sculpture created during Carve Tahoe event, Northstar California

This snow sculpture with the title “Beer & Wine” was created by Team California/Netherlands at the international snow sculpturing event Carve Tahoe: “A dance between an elegant wine opener and a beer can opener. A juxtaposition of masculine and femine.” On a sunny Saturday (Feb. 1, 2014), visitors were strolling and dancing around this snowy juxtaposition and seven other striking creations—all made out of the white stuff that seems to become a rarity in the Reno-Tahoe landscape: Team Tahoe Truckee's The Fish Eaters, Team Yukon Canada's The First Killer Whale,Team Mongolia's Battle, Team Japan's Dream Telescope, Team Finland/Czech Republic's Handicrafts, Team Germany's Reflection and Team USA Wisconsin's Reflection. 

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“Dream Telescope” snow sculpture created during Carve Tahoe event, Northstar California

This snow sculpture with the title “Dream Telescope” was created by Team Japan at the international snow sculpturing event Carve Tahoe. The snow artists—Yoshimasa Tsuchida, Teruyasu Matsumara and Shin Ozaki—introduced their work as follows:

The Dream Telescope can see into the future by sharpening the senses, imagination, and living together with nature. Rather than promote the development of science and technology, how can you create your own Dream Telescope?

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“Handicrafts” snow sculpture created during Carve Tahoe event, Northstar California

The picture shows the snow sculpture named “Handicrafts.” It was created by the binational Team Finland/Czech Republic at the international snow sculpturing event Carve Tahoe. Visitors could walk around this and seven other sculptures standing next to the Northstar Village near Truckee, California.

The artists—Saila Hastrup, Minna Eloranta and Jan Laštovičkar—reflected on their creation by writing:

In a world of machine made items that are less unique, durable and special, this sculpture is designed to remind us of the value and beauty of handicrafts. 

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Team Germany's “Reflection” snow sculpture created during Carve Tahoe event, Northstar California

Team Germany's abstract snow creation “Reflection” is the second sculpture at Carve Tahoe having this title. The other Reflection sculpture at the international snow sculpture event at Northstar California was created by Team USA Wisconsin.

Friedemann Theil, Lothar Luboschik and Detlef Schurtzmann of Team Germany explain the geometry of their sculpture as follows:

The mirror surface of snow cuts through the sculpture. Separated but in a fixed relationship. Top and bottom are identical. and in absolute line. Different viewing angles change balance and harmony. 

Sunshine and rising temperature will change everything else!

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“The First Killer Whale” snow sculpture created during Carve Tahoe event, Northstar California

This snow sculpture with the title “The First Killer Whale” was created by Team Yukon Canada at the international snow sculpturing event Carve Tahoe. Visitors could walk around this and seven other sculptures standing next to the Northstar Village near Truckee, California.

The snow artists—Donald Watt, Ken Anderson and Michael Lane—introduced their work as follows:

There was [a] man who became a castaway on an island. He wanted to get back to the mainland and his people. He felt that if he carved a fish from the wood on the island he could ride it back to the distant shore. He carved many different fish from different kinds of wood. None of them had the spirit inside them to awaken the wood and save the man. That was until he carved his fish from Yellow Cedar and the wood was full of a spirit. When he cut the hole in the fin it came alive and he was able to hold on to its fin and ride back to the safety of the mainland.

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Team USA Wisconsin's “Reflection” snow sculpture created during Carve Tahoe event, Northstar California

This snow sculpture is named “Reflection,” capturing “the magic of the moment, the memories of life's journey.” It was created by Team USA Wisconsin at the international snow sculpturing event Carve Tahoe. Visitors could walk around this and seven other sculptures standing next to the Northstar Village near Truckee, California.

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“Battle” snow sculpture created during Carve Tahoe event, Northstar California

The picture shows the upper part of the snow sculpture named “Battle.” This detailed composition was created by Team Mongolia at the international snow sculpturing event Carve Tahoe. Visitors could walk around this and seven other sculptures standing next to the Northstar Village near Truckee, California.

The artists—Batmunkh Govisaikhan and Altanbayar—explain the sculptured battle as  “legendary Mongolian knights overcoming evil to bring back peace.”

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“The Fish Eaters” snow sculpture at Northstar California

This snow sculpture with the title Kooyooe TuKadu “The Fish Eaters” was created by Team Tahoe Truckee at the international snow sculpturing event Carve Tahoe. Visitors could walk around this and seven other sculptures standing next to the Northstar Village near Truckee, California.

The artists—Ira Kessey, Ed Winslow and Mark Davis—introduced the fish eaters as follows:

In the early 1800s a young Paiute Indian Chief and his Tribe were living in the Pyramid Lake region. The 121 mile river that flows into the unique lake also starts at another unique lake. The crystal clear jewel is Da Aw...Lake Tahoe. There are many accounts of how Chief Truckee got his name, but his reply of Tro Kay or To ge'yee, in the Paiute language meaning “All Right.”

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