Community briefs

Carson City

MoneyTalk lecture series starts Thursday

Western Nevada Community College Carson City is beginning a new free monthly lecture series called "MoneyTalk," featuring local professionals sharing information about diverse financial topics.

Join Pat Gaskill, district manager of Waddell and Reed investment firm, at 7 p.m. Thursday for a lecture on "Today's Climate for Investing." The event occurs at the Reynolds Center for Technology, Room 103, and will include a short talk followed by a question/answer session.

Discussion will include how the baby boom population and demographics in the U.S. influence investors, the growth and demographics of China and the demand on basic materials and energy markets. Gaskill is a certified financial planner who spent more than 10 years in management at United Parcel Service before joining Waddell and Reed in 2000.

The next MoneyTalk lectures is Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Topics will be announced. Contact professor of business/economics Dave Cook at 445-4278.

Transportation commissioners sought

The Carson City Board of Supervisors is seeking applications from persons interested in serving on the Regional Transportation Commission. The RTC is the policymaking body on transportation issues within Carson City and establishes priorities and recommends appropriate funding for transportation-improvement projects.

Commission members also serve on the Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Board to discuss and take action on federal money spent on transportation and transit projects within the Carson Metropolitan Planning Area.

The commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Applicants should be prepared for a minimum commitment of up to 10 hours a month. There are two vacancies. The term shall be for two years and expire in December 2007. Commissioners serve without compensation.

Applications may be obtained from and returned to the Carson City Executive Offices by Nov. 28. All applications submitted will be considered public information. For information call 887-2100 or visit http://www.carson-city.nv.us.

Douglas County

Senior costume contest today

The Douglas County Senior Center is holding a Halloween costume contest at 11:30 a.m. today with the following categories: funniest, most original and best overall.

For information, call 783-6455.

Washoe Valley

Open burning in Washoe ends Tuesday

The period for open burning in Washoe County will close Tuesday, according to Reno Fire Department Division Chief Marty Scheuerman.

The Reno Fire Department began issuing permits for the fall phase of open burning on Oct. 15.

Open burning is prohibited by federal air quality standards from Nov. 1-March 1.

Open burning is not allowed on windy days, and is subject to local air quality controls by the Washoe County Health Department, based on pollution monitoring.

Burning of trash, cardboard, rubber products, tires, plastic, petroleum or petroleum treat materials, asphalt or industrial waste, among other non-vegetative materials, is prohibited.

Safety procedures for open burning include keeping fires at least 50 feet from structures or brush; creating a firebreak by removing all combustible materials for at least 10 feet around the perimeter of the burn area; keeping fires small and controllable; maintaining a rake, shovel and a connected and charged garden hose at the burn site; and never leaving an open burn unattended.