Tai chi coming, piano bar here

Tai chi instructor Earl Mussett of Gardnerville had such a good turnout for World Tai Chi Day in April, he decided to organize a Northern Nevada Tai Chi Day.

Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, he'll lead folks through exercises that improve balance, increase range of motion and flexibility, reduce blood pressure and help diabetes.

"The plan is to give an introductory warm-up that everyone can participate in then give a demonstration of tai chi sword," said Mussett.

Mussett, also a clog dancer, started doing tai chi after he retired from the aircraft engineering industry about 10 years ago in the San Fernando Valley. When he moved here, he found a clog group and a yoga group, but no tai chi group. So he practiced alone in his yard.

"Finally decided I was getting so much benefit out of it I'd just take the bull by the horns, and I approached the parks and rec department," he said.

Now he teaches six classes a week, including sit-down classes at several senior centers. A woman named Marion who takes his class at Merrill Gardens in Gardnerville has seen such improvement in her blood chemistry tests she may soon be able to reduce insulin for her diabetes.

Northern Nevada Tai Chi Day is at Minden town Park at Sixth and Esmeralda streets in Minden one block off Highway 395. A massage therapist and acupuncturist will also he there. Mussett will be dancing with the Capital Cloggers later that day at the library's Oktoberfest. Call him with questions at 782-6603.

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Tonight is bound to be another rollicking good time at Red's Old 395 Grill. Ted Oliver of Reno is scheduled to do his weekly piano bar and sing-along routine.

Oliver plays it all, from Abba to ZZ Top. He even freestyles on the kazoo.

"He brings the crowd in," said Red's manager Don Leyba last week while Oliver pounded away on the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman."

"He just sucks them in," said Leyba, smiling.

Whether it was the piano or the huge mugs of amber beer, people were definitely enjoying themselves Thursday. Groups were competing with each other to see who could sing loudest, men were bobbing their heads, and women were Hula Hooping outside by the fire.

"She's got electric boots, a mohair suit, you know I read it in a maga-ZAAYEEeeeen, yeahhh!" screamed Oliver into the mike. A group of eight leather-clad motorcyclists -- no doubt in town for Street Vibrations -- was leaving when Oliver struck up Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama."

They ended up back on the dance floor.

Red's offers 52 beers on tap and -- for all the NFL fans -- 12 televisions, including one with a 12-by-10-foot screen Leyba calls the largest in Carson.

Red's, at 1055 South Carson St., also offers curb-side service for those who call in ahead and Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call 887-0395.

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The band Fast Forward will play Joe Bob's Roadhouse on Friday and Saturday.

"They're very outgoing guys -- they put on a really good show," said Brad Herndon from Joe Bob's.

They'll play from 9 p.m. until about 1 a.m. both nights with no cover.

"And of course we've got the Raider's Booster Club here on Sunday," Herndon said. "Go, Raiders!"

Call Joe Bob's, at 1500 Hot Springs Road, for details, 883-7799.

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The Tahoe Arts Professional Theatre in Residence will perform Steven Sondheim's Tony award-winning musical "Passion" at Piper's Opera House through Oct. 12. The opening performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday will feature a champagne gala. Tickets are $16.50 general admission, while preferred seating tickets cost $20. Tickets for Friday's gala cost $25. Call (880) 468-2463 or 887-5601.

Call Karl at 881-1219.