Food for Thought

The fifth annual Nevada's Big Give charity drive will be held statewide on Thursday, March 10.

The Big Give is an online donation drive designed to raise as much money as possible in a 24-hour period for various statewide and local charities.

Like all students of Carson High School over the past 16 years, Honors Student Tyler Warren, since his freshman year, thought about what he would be doing for his senior project, a graduation requirement for every student who hopes to receive a diploma from CHS.

It’s Presidents Day weekend with a Valentine’s Day cherry on top. There is still time for some shopping if you’re looking for something for your special someone. Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery hosts its annual Champagne and Jewelry party Saturday and offers some amazing hand-crafted bling for your sweetheart. Carson Mall is another great bet for last minute gifts. Several crafters, vendors, and shops make it easy to find something unique. The annual Feast of Chocolate returns to the Plaza Event Center; raising funds for scholarships has never tasted so good.

SATURDAY:

Local business and area non-profit join forces in a new fundraising effort. Dutch Bros. is sponsoring a Dutch Luv Day to benefit Food For Thought in Carson City. This Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2016, Dutch Bros. will donate $1 to Food For Thought for every drink purchased at the Carson City location during their regular business hours:5 am till 11 pm.

With the New Year upon us let me begin this document by wishing you and yours a Happy New Year. May the year 2016 bring peace and happiness to each and every one of you.

This New Year will be a busy one for Carson City. Foremost on our minds, perhaps, is the Downtown Street Narrowing Project due to begin early February/March depending on weather conditions. One of the goals stated by Carson City staff is to have this project complete in time for the Nevada Day parade. We should, however, keep our chief consideration foremost: “Let's do it Right.”

Food For Thought, Inc. in Carson City published its annual Holiday Letter and announced its 2014/2015 distribution numbers. During the 2014/2015 school year, Food For Thought’s Backpack Program distributed 13,509 bags of food that contained 54,036 meals to food insecure elementary, middle and high school children in Carson City. In the summer of 2015, the program provided free lunches to children at two locations within Carson City. The innovative 2015 Summer Program served over 4,500 meals.

This week's edition of It's Your City with host Cortney Bloomer welcomes guest Karen Abowd, Ward 1 Supervisor for Carson City. Among the topics discussed in this Christmas edition is a new project coming to Carson City called the Harvest Hub.

What initially began as a holiday party for Carson Tahoe Health employees and their families has grown to include organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada through the efforts of the CTH events committee headed by Kayleen Fogleman, director of supply chain management.

CTH provided treats and activities, including decorating enormous sugar cookies, writing letters to Santa, mingling with Carson City firefighters and a visit with Santa at the annual Carson Tahoe Health Kids Christmas Party in the main hall of the hospital Dec. 10.

Last weekend HOSA members, also known as Future Health Professionals, volunteered at the RAM medical event held at Carson High School. HOSA students served as interpreters, place holders, registration assistants, dental scribes, and vision care assistants.

The students were able to put the skills that they learn in class to use. They also gained valuable experience by working alongside dentists, doctors, nurses, and optometrists. The RAM event served more than 900 people in the Carson City area.

“We start the summer off as strangers and end it as friends”
– Marlene Maffei, Food for Thought, Executive Director

Here, in the richest country in the world, 15.8 million children under the age of 18 live with food insecurity. These children go to bed hungry, attend school with empty bellies, and live their lives worrying about when they will eat next.

Today is National Lazy Day, and the options for taking it easy are endless. A day spent poolside at Carson Hot Springs, lunch and some live music at Comma Coffee, or just playing some board games with the family at Nerdvana are all good ideas. Dancing the night away is always a fun start to the week, even if it’s not lazy. Check out Rosebud’s Dance Band in the Comma Coffee Courtyard, or head to El Charro Avita for High Sierra Swing Dance Club’s weekly night out. Dachshund lovers may want to head to Fuji Park for the Silver State Sausage Society Sausage Social: try saying that one five times fast.

MONDAY: Jazz and Beyond

• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)

I hope you’re in the mood for music, Carson City. The annual Jazz and Beyond Festival begins today with an art show and concert on the lawn of the Bliss Mansion. Over the next two weeks you’ll have a plethora of melody to choose from at venues throughout town. Enjoy an outdoor concert at Third and Carson with Drinking with Clowns. Sassafras is thrilled to grab Groove Session for a show; they’re usually off touring. Mo’z Motley Blues will give you a reason to dance at Living the Good Life. You’ll want to take a look at the whole list: I’ve only barely scratched the surface.

FRIDAY: Jazz and Beyond Begins

• Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks
• Monthly ‘Breakfast with Supervisor Brad’ Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)

Hot August Nights is off and running in Reno, but there’s no need to leave the valley for a good time. Tahoe Ridge Bistro and Winery is hosting its monthly ladies night. You won’t want to miss DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life. The Brewery Arts Center Improv Workshop welcomes a special guest: instructor and actor, Michael Lewis. Dancers will want to head to El Charro for Salsa lessons or Beercade for their weekly Line Dancing Night.

THURSDAY:

• Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks
• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

This summer the Brewery Arts Center has featured Art in the Park three days a week in the parking lot of Empire Elementary School near the entrance of Park Terrace in Carson City.

The program is made possible through the Brewery Arts Center and a grant from the Nevada Arts Council. The hope is by next summer grant funding will be available for the program to operate five days a week, said BAC Executive Director Gina Hill.

If the workweek is getting you down, you have multiple options for breaking the monotony today. Jazz at Sassafras and a music Jam at Firkin and Fox are just for starters. Get your brain going at ‘Geeks Who Drink’ trivia at Lake Tahoe Brewing Company and wish your host Mikey a happy birthday. Cowboy boots are optional if you head to Line Dance lessons at Carson Lanes on the south end of town, or at Beercade on North Carson St. Ladies can enjoy half off pool at the Ormsby Club. Comma Coffee hosts their monthly Artist reception this evening, welcoming the latest works of Santiago Chavez in their Backseat Gallery.

WEDNESDAY:

• Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks
• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Welcome to Tuesday, the fourth day of August, 2015. There's plenty of activities today plus Hot August Nights continues in the Reno and Sparks areas. It's National Night Out at Mills Park, which always has a huge turnout. Here's what's happening today:

•*Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
•*One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
•*Carson City Parks and Recreation Easy Walk: Linear Ditch Trail West– Meet in the first parking lot at Governor's Field on Evalyn Drive off of Roop Street (8am-9am; bring bottled water)

Hot August Nights and warm August days have arrived. Beat the heat inside one of Carson City’s many art exhibits. The Nevada Artists Association has just begun their Photography Show. Head over to the Brewery Arts Center to see it. If you haven’t been to the Courthouse lately, Capital City Arts Initiative has done an incredible job of showcasing some of the unseen craftsmanship that our local manufacturers create on a regular basis. You’ll find Industrial Arts on the second floor. The arts meet engineering at the Carson City Library. Students from Harvard and MIT will be on-hand to teach kids about various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles as part of the Spokes America Learning Festival.

MONDAY:

• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

The weekend has arrived and it’s bringing a plethora of activity with it. Car lovers will want to head to the Silver Dollar Car Classic at the Max Casino, known as the Carson Station just a few days ago. The Classic moves to Mills Park for the weekend. If the Mustangs and Broncos you prefer are horses, rather than Fords, you’ll want to grab a ticket to the Bull Riding Competition at the State Fair. Carnival rides, circus performances, and live music will keep everyone entertained. Make sure to catch the shuttle from the Casino Fandango parking garage: parking at Fuji Park is extremely limited. ‘Break a leg’ to the cast of Peter Pan. Youth Theater Carson City opens tonight at the Community Center.

FRIDAY: Full Moon Tonight:

• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Let’s all go to the Fair! The grand opening and ribbon cutting is at Fuji Park at noon. Funnel cakes, clowns, rabbits, circus games and more await. If you’re a classic car lover, then the Plaza Hotel is the place for you. The annual Silver Dollar Car Classic kicks off tonight with music and more before it moves on to its traditional place at Mills Park. Jelly Bread is in town and playing a free show at Sassafras, and celebrate your July birthday at the Carson Cigar Bar with their monthly birthday bash.

THURSDAY:

Just a few last days to celebrate National Anti-Boredom Month, and you’re in the right place! Start with a relaxing soak at the Carson Hot Springs. Head over to Comma Coffee for some Americana blues with Dave Leather. Rack ‘em up at the Ormsby Club, or congratulate Tahoe Ridge Winery at their ribbon cutting. Jazz fans can head to Sassafras for dinner and music. The outdoor patio at Firkin and Fox is the perfect place to listen to music and enjoy a locally crafted beer. Show off your knowledge at Lake Tahoe Brewery’s ‘Geeks Who Drink’ trivia night. You won’t have time to be bored!

WEDNESDAY:

• Free Swim with proof of social media ‘Check-in’ at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm; outdoor pools only)
• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

After 12 years, the annual Carson City Sheriff's Office Cops and Kids open house Saturday was among the biggest yet, with dozens of families and hundreds of children taking part in games, contests and information events well into the late morning and into the afternoon.

The popular community event is aimed at children of all ages and their families as a way introduce public safety agencies, especially law enforcement, to them. The event is part family carnival without the rides, and part educational experience, where music, food, contests, songs and dancing are the orders of the day.

Editor's Note: Kiwanis Club of Carson City was accidentally omitted from the list of donors and contributors. We apologize for the error.
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With more than 1,400 hot dogs and buns, 700 sodas, 800 bottles of water, coffee, music, games and prizes all dished up and out to the community Saturday, the 12th Annual Carson City Sheriff's Office Cops and Kids Open House will roll out rain or shine, said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Editor's Note: Kiwanis Club of Carson City was accidentally omitted from the list of donors and contributors. We apologize for the error.
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The 12th annual Carson City Sheriff's Office "Cops and Kids" Open House, billed as the "Safest Street Party in Carson City," will be this Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the sheriff's office, 911 East Musser Street.

The free community event features, activities, ID kits for children, food, music, games and more. On hand will be the sheriff's office K9 dogs, motorcycle patrol unit, Special Enforcement Team, stellar squad, a new SWAT unit, representatives from DARE, and the Nevada Highway Patrol.

There is no school on Monday, May 11 for Carson High School freshmen, sophomores and juniors as the seniors will be presenting their senior project boards to community members.

CHS Speech and Debate will be holding several fundraisers to help cover the cost of the National Tournament this June in Dallas.

Now considered a Carson City spring tradition, the Rotary Club of Carson City will play host to its fourth annual Carson City Beer and Pizza Championships at the Carson Mall on Saturday, April 25.

The community is welcomed to taste, judge and enjoy finely crafter beer brewed from around the region and piping hot fresh pizza tossed and baked from local restaurants. Sixteen respected craft beer brewers and microbreweries will offer their top selections to attendees as they compete for awards during the Championships.

Where to start? This weekend is chock-full of options. The local 4-H club is hosting their annual Fabric and Rummage Sale at Fuji Park. The Annual Feast of Chocolate, hosted by AAUW, is Saturday afternoon at the Plaza Event Center. The Vagina Monologues and One Billion Rising are both raising awareness this V-Day weekend for women’s issues.

The Share Your Christmas Food Drive at the Governor’s Mansion was held recently in Carson City. Food for Thought, Friends in Service Helping (also known as FISH) and Ron Wood Family Resource Center gathered for the event hosted by Channel 2 News in Reno. Also cab drivers donated through a program they established called Toys for Tips.
In all around 5,156 pounds of food was collected.

This is the second in a two part Women to Women series with Dr. Kent Gabriel. This is a hands-on program detailing the process of minor plastic skin surgery and a live demonstration with Heidi Nicol, a medical esthetician, of a deep cleansing facial. Go here for the first part of the two-part program. Enjoy the show, and we'll see you on Christmas for our final episode.

This week Women to Women features the first of a two-part series with Dr. Kent Gabriel. He invited us to shoot in his office to discuss many different aspects of plastic surgery including many non-invasive alternatives. Please enjoy the show and be sure to tune in next week when a Medical Esthetician from Dr. Gabriel's office will walk us through a deep cleansing facial, step-by-step.

The Carson Victory Rollers will hold their annual Red vs. Green Scrimmage to benefit the local Food For Thought program. The event is this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center gymnasium.

Come out and watch both the Junior Victory Rollers and adult skaters battle it out. Along with action packed skating, there will also be a raffle. Prizes include a scooter donated by the Wheelhouse, tattoo gift certificates, rounds of golf, haircuts and much more.