Tuesday's Concert Under the Stars with legendary funk band War benefits Carson City Greenhouse Project

It’s time to get your dancing shoes and groove on at the fifth annual Concert Under the Stars: A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project, this Tuesday at Café at Adele’s in Carson City.

Iconic band WAR headlines the event with their blend of funk, Latin, rock, reggae, jazz and blues that has kept them creating music and concert-goers happy for more than 40 years. Also performing is northern Nevada’s own Notch 8, with their unique and wonderful interpretation of music from the 1950s through ’90s and C.W. and Mr. Spoons, playing western ragtime. Doors open at 5 p.m. and WAR takes the stage at 8 p.m.

A Concert Under the Stars has, like The Greenhouse Project it is hosted for, grown exponentially over the years and is being produced by John Procaccini in conjunction with Café at Adele’s with generous sponsorships from NVEnergy and Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

“This event is one the community always steps up to support and each year we have exceeded our fund-raising goals,” said Karen Abowd, president of The Greenhouse Project and whose brainchild this has been. “Thanks to the community’s support, we raised $35,000 last year and this year would love to hit $45,000.”

Five corporate tents that seat 10 and include a personal server, two bottles each of red and white wine, two six-packs of beer, water, a $75 food voucher and a banner can be purchased for $1,250.

All proceeds will offset operation costs and expand programs and services at The Greenhouse.

“This past year we have had 2,599 hours of student participation, which included six to eight special needs kids on a daily basis and have been able to hire five high school students through AmeriCorp for the summer where last year we had three,” Abowd said.

And that is just the beginning.

In addition to rebirthing Carson High School’s once defunct agricultural program, including two students taking on Greenhouse-related senior class projects, in 2012 The Greenhouse Project provided more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce for Ron Woods Family Resource Center and Friends in Service Helping (FISH). The goal this year, which they are well on their way to achieving is 4,500 pounds, distributed to community families in need. Fifty-three pounds have already been provided to the high school’s culinary arts program.

Additionally, 62 flower baskets are hanging throughout Carson City and it’s still not too late to order 16 weeks’ worth of fresh-cut flowers.

“For $192, folks receive a fresh-cut flower bouquet each week through September,” Abowd said. “The cost is $12 per bouquet and again, the money helps offset operations costs.”

The Greenhouse Project has also been able to hire an assistant manager, Camille Jones, who comes to Carson City by way of Austin, Texas and also through AmeriCorp, which engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, faith-based and community groups across the country.

“Camille is working with the kids on the cut flower program, and helping with a free summer class (June 17 through July 12) that is worth half a credit and explores green production and management , flower production, specialty growing and leadership skills as it relates to green production and is open to all area high school students,” Abowd said.

The partnership between The Greenhouse Project, Carson City School District and the FFA Chapter continues to look at future opportunities and possibilities, such as beekeeping, raising livestock and aquaponics.
“This is a new age of farmers, tattooed and pierced with an understanding of economics and the sustainability aspects that we’re moving toward, and it’s awesome.”

Even though these might be enough goals met for a 12-month period, Abowd is always looking ahead to the next thing that cooperatively helps the community. To that end, four non-profits, The Greenhouse Project, Ron Wood Family Resource Center, Food for Thought and Boys & Girls of Western Nevada are working together for a food hub in Carson City, a 501(c)(3) food co-op, with an eye toward long-term sustainability.

Food For Thought conducts the backpack program for Carson City School District, providing backpacks full of food for children in need each weekend. The food hub will also provide an education component, including wholesome food preparation and nutrition for those who want to learn.

Concert Under the Stars will feature both live and silent auctions, with proceeds from the latter going to support CHS’s FFA program. Creative Planters made by local notables will be available for bidding on. Gourmet food trucks, one of which is Mama Saki’s, will provide healthy offerings.

Veranda seating has already sold out, but premium tickets for $60 and general admission tickets for $40 are available. For tickets, visit www.carsoncitygreenhouse.org or Café at Adele’s at 775-882-3353. For more information about sponsorship, call Karen Abowd at 775-232-8626. Café at Adele’s is located at 1112 N. Carson St., Carson City.