Empty Bowls event Oct. 7

Empty Bowls of Douglas County, NV, Inc. aims to raise awareness about hunger through year-round bowl making with local students, artisans, and community groups. Food-grade bowls are available for sale throughout the year at school art shows, farmers markets, local events, and participating businesses and organizations. In addition, EBDCNV hosts an annual event each fall, with all proceeds benefitting the Carson Valley Community Food Closet.

The 2023 fall event takes place October 7 at St. Gall Catholic Church, 1343 Centerville Lane in Gardnerville, from 4:30-7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include a hand-crafted ceramic bowl, meal, and dessert, with food supplied by local area restaurants and organizations. A silent auction and raffle will be held, and door prizes will be awarded.

EBDCNV President Lois Elliott invites everyone to “come join us, bring your families, and have some fun,” noting that there’s something for all ages at the fall event.

EBDCNV welcomes anyone interested in helping them support their hunger awareness efforts, and organizers are looking for volunteers able to assist with setup, takedown, and food serving at the fall event. For more information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact Elliott at 775-901-6309.

Empty Bowls (emptybowls.com) began in 1990 as a project in art teacher John Hartom’s ceramics class at a Michigan high school. Inspired to participate in a local food drive, Hartom and his wife, Lisa Blackburn, asked students to create ceramic bowls, invite the school faculty to a luncheon, and request donations in exchange for a meal of soup and bread.

Hartom and Blackburn spoke about hunger during the meal and pointed out that while the luncheon guests were no longer hungry after having just eaten, many others still had “empty bowls.” Attendees were invited to keep their empty ceramic bowls as a reminder of others who are less fortunate.

Empty Bowls has expanded to include chapters and events throughout the world, all in support of food-related charities. The non-profit Douglas County chapter, run entirely though volunteer efforts, has been active since 2014 and was incorporated in 2018.

Storytelling and songs at River Fork Ranch

Music and storytelling come together in a free interactive workshop at River Fork Ranch this weekend.

“Story Songs for the Carson Valley” explores the local area’s “rich wetlands heritage” and invites participants to “learn how the wetlands influence life and how geology made it into the diverse region it is today.”

Workshop leaders Jim Eaglesmith and Mark Vollmer will share visual and musical stories that encourage audience participation, and attendees can create percussion instruments to play along with the music.

The event is supported in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. There’s no cost to attend, but donations are welcome.

The workshop takes place 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at The Nature Conservancy’s River Fork Ranch Preserve, 381 Genoa Lane in Minden. For more information, contact Preserve Manager Lori Leonard via email at lori.leonard@tnc.org.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.