This weekend's 19th annual Spring Fun Fair at Mills Park offers carnival rides and corn dogs so it's guaranteed to be good time -- but the goodness runs deeper.
The fair is organized by and is a fund-raiser for the Retired and Senior Volunteers Program.
"We help retired people find interesting things to do during the day," said Cordialea "Cordy" Athena, coordinator for the group.
RSVP's Lifeline program enables seniors to have contact with help at the push of a button. All they have to do is activate their waterproof, jeweler-designed pendant and within 10 seconds, and someone who cares will ask over a loudspeaker if they are OK. The system is designed to get help within four minutes, if necessary, or to just give people someone to talk with.
By attending the fair, you will help RSVP help seniors in 15 rural counties.
Look for your $3-off coupon toward an unlimited ride stamp in the Appeal, and take Mom out there on Sunday, when she gets to ride for free.
"I always go with my children and grandchildren," Athena said. Her favorite part is watching them on the rides. Last year, she bought a bar of handmade soap wrapped in lace from a Reno woman.
The fair is 4 p.m. until midnight Thursday and Friday, noon until midnight Saturday, and noon until 11 p.m. Sunday. Call 687-4680 for more information.
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Another good cause that is sure to be a good time is the spaghetti feed and jazz concert benefit for Nancy Dumas at the Upstage Center Friday night. The members of her parish, the United Religious Science Church on the corner of Roop and Fairview streets, put it together. They have helped Dumas deal with lung cancer after she was diagnosed a little more than a year ago.
"What we discovered while helping her was her courage, her strength and her optimism have helped us, inspired us, and healed us so much that we wanted to thank her," said Gail Linsley, co-minister of the church with her husband, Gil. "That's why we're doing this."
The jazz will be provided by the Jazz Guys, which Gil Linsley plays with. Three of the Guys play each summer on the Woodwind Two during Tahoe cruises, but five will jam Friday.
Other members include Dr. George Worth on bass; David Bugli of the Millennium Bugs, Carson City Symphony and Mile High Jazz Band on piano; and Dan Lancaster on alto and tenor saxophone, flute and clarinet.
The pasta will be prepared in what Gail Linsley calls "one of our world-famous potlucks." They have some great cooks in the parish, she said.
The event will go down in Tamara's Studio on the east side of the Upstage -- enter through the east door between 6:30-10 p.m. Call 882-0901 for more details.
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A one-night-only event described as "sensual, elegant and captivating" by reviewers is the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company's Dynasties and Beyond performance Saturday at Piper's Opera House in Virginia City.
The show, starting at 7:30 p.m., weds ancient tradition with modern movement with swirling, colorful silk scarves. Lily Cai, who arrived in this country from China in 1983, says she strives to give American dance a Chinese face. The performance is funded in part by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council. Tickets are $15 general or $25 for reserved seating. Call 847-0433.
Call Karl Horeis with entertainment tips at 881-1219.
