writing

CASA Of Carson City will hold an Information Hour, September 12, at 5:30pm. 1539 E. Fifth St. This informal event is a change for anyone who might be thinking about becoming a CASA Volunteer to stop by, ask questions and learn more.

CASA Volunteers are appointed by the Carson City Juvenile Court to serve as guardian ad litem--child advocate--for children taken into care due to abuse or neglect.

The Nevada Emergency Medical Systems Program of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health in Carson City recently received the Excellence in Action Award of Merit from the Nevada Association for Career and Technical Education. The award is given annually to an individual or organization for outstanding achievement in the field of career and technical training.

Carson City businessman Steve Browne is a successful professional who has written several books for the gaming industry. But perhaps the most memorable words he has written are those that tell the story of his amazing daughter, Katie May. Browne’s memoir, “How to Raise a Rocket Scientist,” will appear in a free lecture on Friday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-noon, at Western Nevada College.

Registration begins soon for GED Boot Camps scheduled for Western Nevada College’s Carson City and Douglas campuses. The free GED Boot Camps provide intensive instruction and preparation for students interested in passing a GED or high school equivalency exam.

“The GED boot camp covers all sections of the official GED exam: science, social studies, reading, writing and math,” said Angela Andrade-Holt, WNC Adult Literacy and Language program coordinator. “Students also receive test-taking skills and a week of review prior to the administration of the official exam.”

The 53rd annual Virginia City Camel Races will begin on Sept. 6, and once again the media will enlighten us on how the race was born over a half century ago, with a hoax published in the Territorial Enterprise in 1959 by then editor, Bob Richards.

The story is true. Richards, however, was a hellava lot more than the father of the Virginia City Camel Races. A talented individual with a creative mind, Richards was a driving force for the promotion of tourism on the Comstock for the 14 years he lived here.

Travels include stops in New Jersey,Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California.

Cece Otto is a classically trained vocalist who has performed in venues all over the world.
She set out to create a project that fused her passions for music, travel and writing into a unique creative work. “An American Songline” was born as a cross-country musical journey that takes her from New York to San Francisco along the Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental road, to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

(Editor's Note: The following is from Ken Beaton of Carson City about the death of his friend Bob Thomas, who died Saturday. Funeral arrangements are pending. Thomas was a retired high-tech industrialist who served on the Carson City School Board, Nevada Welfare Board and Carson City Airport Authority and was a state Assemblyman. He also wrote a column for the Nevada Appeal.)

The word last leaves a bad taste in my mouth. One exception is after an intense workout our aerobics instructor says, “This is the last exercise before we stretch and leave for the day.”

New York Times best selling author Ellen Hopkins is this week's guest on It's Your City produced by Access Carson City Television. Hopkins discusses her books, including "Crank" as well as founding the nonprofit Ventana Sierra in Carson City along with her daughter Kelly. The house opened June 1.

Driving a vehicle is very interesting and often an adventure in Carson City. I have found that when driving in our fair city, you must be on your toes at all times and be ready to react to whoever is approaching from any direction.

In my less-than-humble opinion, Carson City has more than its fair share of dumb, stupid, indifferent, inattentive, careless, reckless and rude drivers; and I seem to encounter many of them when driving around town.

Here are some examples of what I have experienced around Carson City – Do any of these sound familiar to you?

Las Vegas artist Suzanne Hackett-Morgan’s paintings and prints are on display at the Nevada Arts Council’s OXS Gallery in Carson City beginning August 5. The Arts Council will host an artist talk at 6:15 p.m. and a reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15.

“A Western Dependence” features two series of paintings and prints created over the last 14 years by Hackett-Morgan who is drawn to neglected billboards, closed roadside attractions, and other evidence of abandonment in the desert west,” said Susan Boskoff, executive director of the Arts Council.

After more than six years reviewing thousands of family letters and documents, diligent research and personal interviews about the Dangberg Home Ranch, author and photographer Conrad Buedel wrote a life story of the Carson Valley’s famous settlement. As guest speaker at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City on Thursday, July 25, Buedel will discuss his work “Lost Legacy of Carson Valley: The Rise and Fall of the H.F. Dangberg Ranching Empire.”

The Nevada Arts Council has awarded five Folklife Apprenticeship grants for 2014. The grants support projects developed by master artists and apprentices who share a common cultural background and an interest in preserving a specific traditional art.

A panel of specialists reviewed seven applications that requested $15,300 to support the work of master artists, along with supplies, tools, materials and related travel costs necessary to complete the apprenticeship. Five applicants were approved for full funding by the NAC board in June.

Grants went to:

Hey all you budding filmmakers out there, Carson City Access Television, the Brewery Arts Center and Digital Arts Factory have launched a short film competition and are inviting Carson City residents of all ages to participate as teams.

The week-long City Wide Short Film Competition runs from noon August 9 to noon August 16. Registration is required by August 7. It is free to enter and participate.

On warm summer evenings in Genoa, when the sun begins to dip behind the Sierra Nevada, and the shadows grow long, and the light turns amber and gold, people gather in the Genoa Park on the green grass with their picnic dinners to listen to music. Joey was born in Oneida, KY and raised in Winchester, KY. and he has the accent to prove it.

July 14th features Joey Carmon: "Guitar Man" Tribute show to Jerry Reed. Bring a picnic and a blanket to Genoa Town Park and enjoy an evening of free music!

“A novel of grit, independence, and determination… An intelligent story, well told.” –Renée Thompson, author of The Plume Hunter and The Bridge at Valentine

“The thoughtful, intricate story Carroll relates is absolutely mesmerizing.” –Eileen Walsh, Ph.D., U.S. Women’s History, University of San Diego

Debuting author and former Nevada reporter Stephanie Carroll said she owes much of her novel’s success to the time she lived in Nevada where she was inspired with the initial story idea, conducted her research, and developed her writing.

New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins will lead a Meet the Authors dessert and wine reception in Carson City on Friday, June 14 from 6:30 to 9 pm in the Carson Nugget Community Hall in the Aspen Building on the Western Nevada College Campus.

The Sierra region’s own literary stars will be shining at the Ventana Sierra Advanced Writing Workshop Friday-Sunday, June 14-16, at Western Nevada College in Carson City.

New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins is the keynote speaker and the architect of the event, designed to help writers of all genres and skill levels to be successful. All proceeds benefit Ventana Sierra Youth Housing and Resource Initiative, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit foundation created by Hopkins to provide housing and resources to local youth.

It’s not too late to register for summer classes at Western Nevada College in Carson City and Fallon. The summer term begins Monday, June 10, and offers students the opportunity to earn full credit on a condensed schedule, or get up to speed on college level skills.

WNC has more than 60 general education classes and program electives available. Sections are offered on campus and online. Browse classes and register at www.wnc.edu.

by MICHAEL M. MARCOTTE

Nevada Media Alliance Managing Editor Alex Pompliano in Carson City, NV

Carson City, NV – NxLeveL business planning course is coming back to Carson City after huge success with more than 30 business attendees in the March 2012 class. Western Nevada Development District has once again provided the funding for what has become the most popular and successful business planning course throughout countless Nevada communities. This award-winning program has provided the tools to start and grow a small business to more than 3,000 Nevadans.

A 42-year-old Carson City woman was jailed Saturday and faces two felony drug charges and a charge of being a felon in possession of an electronic stun gun.

Patricia Louise Barkley, was arrested at 12:11 p.m. April 20 on East Nye. According to the arrest report, officers stopped a vehicle based on information that the owner faced a warrant for his arrest.

“Always Lost: A Meditation on War” has returned home to Carson City and was given full honors Wednesday at the Nevada Legislature.

Western Nevada College’s acclaimed creative writing/photographic exhibition about the costs of war will be on display in the Nevada Legislative Building’s second-floor atrium weekdays through May 3.

An action-packed week filled with music, arts, books, Nevada political history and more will be featured as Carson City Library celebrates National Library week.

Special events kick off Monday, 6 p.m., at the library auditorium with “The Lure of Music, a Human Universal” presented by internationally-recognized music scholar Fredric Lieberman, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of music at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

“Always Lost: A Meditation on War” is returning to its roots. Western Nevada College’s acclaimed creative writing/photographic exhibition about the costs of war will be on display in the Nevada Legislative Building’s second-floor atrium on weekdays, April 17 to May 3.

On April 1st of this year, two morning disc jockeys from the Fort Myers, Southwest Florida area, informed their audience that dihydrogen monoxide was in the city’s water supply.

They should be applauded for bringing attention to this pervasive, nefarious and evil chemical seeping into our homes every time we shower, water our lawn, or take a drink from our faucets, because it is also prevalent in Carson City’s water supply!

In the 1997, 14 year old Nathan Zohner of Idaho warned us of its terrible effects:
• It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This fishing report For the week of March 27 through April 2.

by SCOT JENKINS

One month ago, I was in a mad scramble trying to find a class for spring semester. Today, I was holding the elevator door for a Senator so we could both attend his committee hearing in a timely fashion. Tonight, as I look over my first article while awaiting the publication of my second, I can’t help but catch things that would make Paul Mitchell give me that clairvoyant look, the one where he doesn’t say anything but I can actually hear the bass of his voice in my mind saying: you are capable of doing better than this, right?

Two-hour workshop. Participants will discuss and share techniques and thoughts about song writing. Leader Chris Bayer has written songs for 40 years and has twice won Sierra Arts awards for his efforts. He performs his original material regularly in our area. Participants should plan to bring a guitar or keyboard--whatever they use when writing a song. (Some basic instrument ability is required.)

Tuition: $25
Sunday 1:00pm-3:00pm
March 24
Instructor: Chris Bayer
Location: Brewery Arts Center - Media Center

Enjoy a traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Saturday, March 16, with a hearty helping of live music by Cíana and corned beef and cabbage dinner served at Café at Adele’s.

The fun is planned for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and includes a variety of songs and tunes, two very different things according to Joe Blye (vocals, whistles and guitar), who, with his wife Kathy Blye (guitar and octave mandolin) and Tina Carlsen (fiddle and backing vocals), are Cíana.

Having fed and provided shelter for the poor and indigent for more than 30 years, the Carson City nonprofit agency FISH is asking Carson City residents, public officials and private citizens to a special dinner on Thursday, March 14.