make a difference

The New Year is getting off to a phenomenal start with snow falling at Lake Tahoe. It seems long ago since we’ve had snow around the lake, but as California and Nevada continue to grapple with four years of drought and water shortages, the snow couldn’t be falling at a better time.

Many of you may not know this but prior to arriving at the Nevada Humane Society, I was a producer at a local news station. That basically means I was responsible for putting content on the air.

Our biggest struggle was always that so many people didn’t want to hear the bad things, yet they wanted to know if something was awry in their neighborhood. It was my job to give them that information. However, there’s also “fluffy” news which is that of happy, lighthearted content, and a “kicker” which is the uplifting or funny story that is typically aired at the end of the newscast.

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.

This year Carson City Toyota Scion will celebrate more than 30 years of helping Toys for Tots with its Christmas Drive. We are asking for your help again to make a difference in a child’s Christmas.

Drop off any new unwrapped toy or cash donation at Carson City Toyota, 2590 S Carson St., now through Dec. 22 and Carson City Toyota Scion will enter your name in a drawing to win a $250 gas card.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Dick Campagni’s Carson City Toyota Scion.

For a few hours one day each year, children of all ages are offered the opportunity to immerse themselves in the full spirit of the season, when Cafe at Adele’s hosts Cookies with Santa, a benefit event that combines all the best aspects of good cheer with helping to provide gifts for area children.

Catmandu needs volunteers. Can you help us help homeless and abandoned cats and kittens in our community? We take in cats that would otherwise live and die on the streets. We care for them, help them become healthy, and get them spayed/neutered to prevent the vicious cycle of homeless cats. Then, best of all we help them find their very own forever family and home. You can make a difference!

Each year, Nevada Humane Society sets aside time to pay tribute to the pets in our lives, past and present. The holiday season is a time to show our animal companions how much they mean to us, and our annual Lights of Love is a touching way to do just that.

Last month in Carson City the Nevada Humane Society lent a hand to help save a number of animals and is an example of what Lights of Love is about.

By the time many of you read this, Thanksgiving will have come and gone, but the feeling of giving back is most definitely still in the air. With everything happening across the country and the world, it’s important to take the time to be thankful for what you have as well as to give back to those in need.

The Geminids- the king of meteor showers- is soon approaching. On December 13 and 14, the sky will glow with up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour.

It’s Monday, but this week should fly by. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so you probably want to start thawing your bird. There are still many organizations collecting food for families, so consider dropping off a frozen turkey at Salvation Army, or something non-perishable in one of the many bins around town. If helping kids is a passion, you’ll want to attend the informational meeting at the office of the Court Appointed Special Advocates this evening. CASA is always looking for people who’d like to make a difference to a child.

MONDAY:

Some nights I just need to unwind and I do so by watching mindless TV. While watching “Supergirl” (yes, I am ashamed), I began to think about who the everyday heroes are in life. Every day there are people who silently, without fanfare, perform acts of heroism. While they do not zap bad guys with laser eyes or lift multi-ton girders from innocent victims, Nevada Humane Society heroes are the thousands of adopters and volunteers who give so much to help homeless pets.

The Carson City Firefighters Association Local No. 2251 launched Operation Warm. Operation Warm will provide brand new, American-made, winter coats to children living in unfortunate circumstances in Carson City. Children will receive quality coats and confidence! Help us warm our community with compassion. You can help make a difference by visiting www.operationwarm.org/carsoncity

The Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company gets into the festive spirit beginning Friday with a magical production to marks its 25th season with the Broadway blockbuster musical "Mary Poppins."

“The entire company is bursting with excitement for this production,” said producer and director Stephanie Arrigotti. “Anyone who has seen the stage version of this show will understand their excitement.”

Representing this year’s Nevada Day theme, “One state, many cultures,” Native American advocate Sherry Rupert and Old West actor Jack Waggon are sharing the title of grand marshal of this year’s parade.

Rupert — whose husband’s great-grandfather, Henry Moses Rupert, was the first American Indian grand marshal — will be the first female American Indian to marshal the 77th annual parade Saturday, 10 a.m. in downtown Carson City.

Carson City Firefighters Association Local No. 2251 and the Carson City Fire Department have officially launched "Operation Warm" a program to provide winter coats for area children in need.

You can make a difference in the lives of local children by supporting the Carson City Firefighters Firefighters the "Operation Warm" program.

Children will be able to go to school on cold winter days. They will feel special in their very own brand new coat...maybe their first new coat ever. And with our American-Made coats, you'll be supporting American jobs too.

Fifteen sailors from Carrier Air Wing Three of Virginia Beach, VA will be in Carson City on Saturday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 10 to perform volunteer work at some of our most historic sites.

The sailors will be training at Fallon Naval Air Station and when in any community perform volunteer duties to “leave each place we visit in better condition,” according to Lt. Robert D Fasnacht, group leader.

On behalf of everyone at Catmandu, both two-legged and four-legged, I would like to thank the many people in our Carson City community that have helped us create, maintain, and improve our little haven for cats during the last 18 months.

CASA of Carson City will hold the first class in a 10 week CASA volunteer training, Thursday, September 24, 6-9pm, at the CASA of Carson City office, 1539 E. 5th Street.

CASA volunteers are appointed by the Carson City Juvenile Court to serve as guardian ad litem for a case of abused or neglected children in a child welfare court case.

The Reno Chapter No. 1 Disabled American Veterans organization has awarded the first-ever $1,000 scholarship to go to a Western Nevada College student. The scholarship, administered by the Western Nevada College Foundation in Carson City, will be awarded in November to a disabled veteran, or the dependent of a disabled veteran, at a dinner in Sparks Nov. 6.

This year RSVP will host its first “Days of Service” event at Mills Park along with our regular Nevada Days Carnival and Celebration. The carnival begins Thursday, Oct. 29 and ends Monday, Nov. 1, 2015. The “Days of Service” will be Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Many low-income students at Western Nevada College are learning firsthand this week that the state has their educational goals in mind.

The 2015 Nevada Legislature allocated $2.5 million for financial assistance to students for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.

What better way is there to celebrate America’s birthday than to provide a life-changing gift to someone who has served our country in the U.S. Marines and Navy?

For the second time in seven months, Western Nevada College has worked with National Auto Body Council Executive Director Chuck Sulkala, State Farm Insurance Company, and the Recycled Rides project to donate a refurbished automobile to a deserving community member.

Grocery Outlet has launched its 5th Annual Independence From Hunger Food Drive today to donate food throughout July, traditionally a time when food agencies experience the greatest need, to serve children who are off from school during the summer.

The Carson City Grocery Outlet has teamed up with Dayton Food Pantry and will be collecting donations throughout the entire month of July that will go directly to that partner.

"We are happy to help out the Dayton Food Pantry in any way we can," said Dave Cox, the Carson City store owner-operator.

Although variable spring weather conditions contributed to prolonged periods on the road and away from Carson City, Western Nevada College's baseball players remained committed to their No. 1 priority as a Wildcat: academics.

WNC earned National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-American honors with a team grade point average of 3.19.

As part of a larger community effort to improve the quality of life in northern Nevada, United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra will host its Tune Into Kids Fair on Tuesday, June 23 at the “town’s park” in Silver City as part of its annual Day of Action.

Hello fellow anglers, I have to tell you that last weekend's Lampe Park Kids derby was rewarding. The fishing was slow both days, but there were a few nice fish caught. At one time I felt as if I were at a ball game. I could hear the crowd  cheering  at one end of Willow Creek with the voices in unison rising and lowering as a 4-year-old angler was reeling in a 7 pound trout.

Basking in the after-glow of a legislative session that handed him nearly everything on his agenda, Gov. Brian Sandoval said Tuesday his education reforms are going to make a difference for Nevada’s childre...

Ron Wood Family Resource Center (a 501 c 3 - non-profit agency) is searching for candidates to serve on our Board of Directors.

Ron Wood Family Resource Center established in 1995, is the local resource for services, information and referrals for children and families in our community. We are seeking community-minded individuals that would like to make a difference in our community!

Interested community members should email or call Joyce or Wendy for more information or to have an application sent to you!

884-2269

Deadline for inquiries - June 19, 2015

Miss Carson City, Briana Neben says, "Please come and learn what CASA Volunteers do. Bring a friend!"

CASA of Carson City will hold an Information Hour, 5:30pm, April 7th, at the CASA of Carson City office, 1539 E. 5th Street.

Come and learn more about being a CASA volunteer. CASA volunteers are appointed by the Carson City Juvenile Court to serve as guardian ad litem for a case of abused or neglected children in a child welfare court case.

Virginia City’s economic vitality is getting a shot in the arm with the addition of a new event venue designed to accommodate nearly 5,000.

For a place dating back more than 150 years, Virginia City attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Many are drawn to the historic Comstock town for its rich history; many others attend one of the unique events that make up the annual calendar including the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, the International Camel & Ostrich Races or the Outhouse Races.