make a difference

This is the 16th anniversary of a national tragedy. It was a day the nation paused, slowed down, and turned toward concern for our fellow man. Rather than destroy us, the attacks of September 11, 2001 pulled us together as a nation like no other recent event. We turned an eye toward pain and showed compassion.

I love living in Northern Nevada and have been an active community participant for several decades in the areas of advocacy targeting workability and job readiness for those families immigrating to our great state with the emphasis on English language acquisition and US citizenship. Here is what I know:

With harvest time upon us, you may find you are blessed with a bounty of late summer treats such as zucchini, potatoes, tomatoes and more. Or, as fruit ripens on your fruit trees, are you finding you have more apples than you need or know what to do with? Perhaps you have too many grapes? If nature has rewarded you with plenty, would you like to share it with your community?

Did you feel that? It wasn’t just the temperature drop or the way everything looked muted outside. Something happened today. It happened without a national disaster or a major annual sporting event. It was a time of national unity. It was a time where we dropped the politics, the fear, and even the concerns of our daily lives. We stood together in the present moment.

Those of you who have been reading this column for a while know, when I go to a festival, I bring nuggets back to you. I spent this last weekend at Wanderlust in Squaw Valley. This was my 5th year at the festival. As usual, it did not disappoint.

Three new species of toads have been discovered living in Nevada’s Great Basin in an expansive survey of the 190,000 square mile ancient lake bottom.

It’s hot. We know this. But in just over a month we expect you, your dog and your dog’s friends to be joining us for the annual Walk for Animals, which means right now you’re getting in shape for this, right? Despite the heat?

Local Freshies, in association with Patagonia, will host a premiere of Finding Fontinalis at South Lake Brewing Company (1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe) on Thursday July 6. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show starts at 8 p.m. for this free all ages event.

Carson City's Grocery Outlet will be running a food drive to benefit the Ron Wood Family Resource Center Food Bank beginning Saturday, July 1 through July 31.

The live auction has become an integral and fun part of every evening during Concert Under the Stars, A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project, presenting The Family Stone, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, Wednesday, July 12 at Brewery Arts Center, Carson City.

Funding approved for Nevada libraries by the Legislature will make a difference for people across the state, including those in some of the most remote places, librarians testified.

In the 35 years that Western Nevada College has been offering an associate degree in nursing program, there hasn’t been a graduate as young as Morgan Tingle.

Providing the selfless care of others on a daily basis warrants recognition. Through National Nurses Week, nurses are recognized for the significant contributions they make to improve the health and wellness of the nation.

As we celebrate Earth Day this April, let’s remember how important environmental stewardship is to the health of Lake Tahoe, and how important our individual actions are.

In tense situations, they are the voice of clarity. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, public safety dispatchers are the lifeline between those who need help and those who mobilize to provide it.

CASA OF Carson City will begin new training for CASA volunteers Thursday, April 13, 6 to 9 p.m. at the CASA office in the Family Court Complex, 1539 E. Fifth St in Carson City. To access the office, drive to the back of the parking lot where a large CASA sign will be on the door.

You are invited to the CASA of Carson City Information Hour, Monday, April 10TH at 5:30 pm. We are located in the Family Court Complex at 1539 E. 5th Street. Drive straight in to the back of the parking lot and you will see our big CASA sign on the door.

MINDEN – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is strengthening its crime fighting efforts by strengthening neighborhoods. Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of citizens in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office in an effort to reduce crime in their communities.

It is an organized group of neighbors who observe more closely any unusual activity in their neighborhoods. They can simply observe and report the activity to the Sheriff’s Office.

Shed antler hunting is a great hobby that gets families out into Nevada’s vast expanses during late winter and early spring, but those who wish to hunt sheds have a duty to do it responsibly and legally, in order to minimize stress on winter-weakened wildlife and avoid impacts on habitat.

Shed antler hunting is a great hobby that gets families out into Nevada’s vast expanses during late winter and early spring, but those who wish to hunt sheds have a duty to do it responsibly and legally, in order to minimize stress on winter-weakened wildlife and avoid impacts on habitat.

Some people might not realize that elk and mule deer shed their antlers in the winter months, and many members of the sporting and non-sporting public alike, head out to the winter ranges where animals concentrate to collect shed antlers for a wide variety of uses.

It’s hard to find someone that wasn’t impacted by our recent weather. From heavy rains and flooding to serious snow and ice, everyone in our community was affected in some form. The animals, homeless pets especially, were among those.

No one makes it out of life alive. Sadly, it’s a fact. We all know it. But when celebrities from some of the best times of our lives pass, like today’s passing of Carrie Fisher, we come together with a collective sigh. We are human. Our icons are passing. Gene Wilder, George Michael, Prince, and David Bowie have all passed this year. We are all collectively conscious of the impermanence of life.

Many people will describe the holidays as magical. The lights and sounds, ideas of Santa and eight tiny reindeer, spiritual beliefs and giving back to those in need — it’s all honored during the month of December. People come together, families celebrate, and the mood is festive no matter where you go.

Students and staff at Eagle Valley Middle School (EVMS) in Carson City took up a collection on behalf of Faith, Hope, Love of Northern Nevada and Northern Nevada HotSpot to provide clothing and other necessary items for those in need, said Northern Nevada HotSpot owner Cassidy Davis, who also coordinates the efforts of Faith, Hope, Love of Northern Nevada.

Since taking over Partnership Carson City’s youth group One Up in September, Brooklyn Maw has seen it grow from seven members to 55.

I volunteer a lot of my time. Every potential client gets 30 minutes on the phone with me. I work with community organizations to support local causes. Advocates to End Domestic Violence is one of those. Each holiday, I usually write something about the importance of volunteerism. Yet, the power and two-way benefit of volunteerism didn’t hit me until I returned home to Carson City.

Are you giving back this holiday season? You should be.

Everyone has heard about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. But Giving Tuesday is a day for giving back, and the Nevada Humane Society is asking you to join the movement by donating in support of their life-saving mission.

You are invited to the CASA of Carson City Information Hour, December 7th at 5:30 pm. We are located in the Family Court complex at 1539 E. 5th Street. Drive straight in to the back of the parking lot and you will see our big CASA sign on the door.

Come join us to Eat Wings and Raise Money for Relay For Life of Carson City - Douglas County and the American Cancer Society. Buffalo Wild Wings has enabled us to bring the communities together to help put an end to Cancer. Come join us any time from 11:00 AM until closing and tell your server you are there to support Relay For Life and a percentage of your meal will be donated back. Your support and participation can make a difference.

The Carson City Library is hosting a free public presentation for our elementary youth and their families to inspire our community to be kind.

#KindnesMatters #BullyFreeZone #CarsonCity #CommunityPartners

When: Wednesday, November 9, 2016
6:00-7:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
Where: Carson City Community Center
Bob Boldrick Theater
851 E. Williams Street

Join us and Brian Williams, Founder of ThinkKindness, to make a difference in Carson City!