writers

The Greek Isles have long been a staple of fiction writers, often with entertaining results. Anne Zouroudi's "The Messenger of Athens" (Little Brown an Co. 324 pages, $23.95) is one of the good ones.

The island of Thiminos is the scene of this crime novel where private investigator Hermes arrives to investigate the accidental death of young Irini, married to a fisherman whom she no longer loves. Seems she had fallen for Theo after watching him pass her house.

CARSON CITY — Bethany Drysdale, who has promoted Nevada's tourism attractions for more than five years for the Nevada Commission on Tourism will head the Public Relations department beginning April 23, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki announced this week.

Drysdale has served as Public Relations specialist for NCOT since October 2005. She succeeds Chris Chrystal, who is retiring as manager April 22 after a 48-year career in news reporting and public relations that included 13 years with the Commission.

Carson Now writer and veteran journalist Sam Bauman will discuss his newest novel "Confessions of a Paper Pimp" at 6:30 p.m. March 21 at the Carson City Library. He will also be signing copies of the novel as well as copies of his earlier book "Then God Is Forgiven." The session is free.

The new book ranges from newspaper work in Ohio to flying over Asia as an Air Force pilot to travels around Europe and winding up with the protagonist facing pornography charges while working for a men's magazine.

An art exhibit that explores an observation made in author Barbara Kingsolver's book, "Animal Dreams: Memory is a complicated thing, a relative to truth, but not its twin" is featured at Western Nevada College.
The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 5-6:30 p.m. in the WNC Carson City galleries.

Lake Tahoe has been ranked the No. 1 ski destination for the year by Rand McNally, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority announced Monday.

The ranking is based on travel bookings to the destination when compared to other winter locations throughout the United States and Canada. It is the latest recognition given to the region by the nation's top travel writers and publications, according to the LTVA announcement.

Carl Kuhl, a state Parole and Probation employee of six years, has created a plan that he claims will eliminate Nevada's budget deficit within two years.

In a news release issued on Tuesday, Kuhl said his plan not only will reduce the budget deficit but also help repair Nevada's economy at the same time. It is a pretty big claim, he admits, coming from an Accounting Assistant I, an entry level position.

BLACK ROCK CITY, Nev. — Forget all those rumors about this year's Burning Man event being a police state.

It's the same gathering of free-wheeling Burners that have populated the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach for more than 10 years, with the Bureau of Land Management, Pershing and Washoe counties' sheriffs deputies helping keep the 48,195 Burners reasonably in line. Final attendance is expected to hit 50,000.

Lake Tahoe’s annual Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre Festival has some of the most unique entertainment choices around-the-lake with its solid line-up of performing arts and cultural events running through the month of September. For tickets call (530) 541-4975 or click here.

Here’s the upcoming line-up:

Tahoe Dance Band performs at the Grand Hall on Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The 17-piece band plays big band and swing with fox trots, waltzes, tangos, and polkas. Tickets are $15/$12/$5.

LAKE TAHOE — Get ready for jazz, Celtic, mystery, comedy, bluegrass, percussion and a whole lot more at the Lake Tahoe Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre Festival. The Festival takes place at the historic Tahoe Tallac site, a 74-acre setting currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a 1800’s favorite getaway for Northern California’s elite members of society.  But you don’t have to be an elite member of society to enjoy the variety of affordable and sometimes even free events at the Valhalla Festival.

The Nevada Commission on Tourism has updated its strategic plan for attracting visitors, combining cost-effective new initiatives and time-tested programs with proven track records, Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki said Tuesday.

The agency (http://travelnevada.com) will target U.S. consumer markets that have large populations with convenient driving distance or easy air access to Nevada and international markets whose travelers have a strong likelihood of visiting Nevada, such as Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Germany, said Krolicki, Nevada's tourism commission chair.

AP: Nevada most stressed economy in U.S. CHRISTOPHER S.