Community briefs

Carson City

Newborn Screening Awareness Month now

The Nevada State Health Division is reminding people that September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month.

Nevada's Newborn Screening Program, established in 1977 as a result of legislation, currently screens 98.9 percent of all children born in the state.

Testing provides for the identification of 31 metabolic disorders in newborn children through a simple blood screening. The number of tests offered in Nevada exceeds the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation. These tests, taken 24-48 hours after birth, help prevent the possibility of mental retardation, physical disability, or even death in babies who often look perfectly healthy.

When a disorder has been identified, the baby and baby's parents are referred to specialists who work with the family's primary-care physician. Nevada has contracted with a metabolic geneticist to provide clinical services to the Nevada State Health Division's Early Intervention Clinics in Reno and Las Vegas. Additionally, children referred to the early-intervention clinics have access to nutritionists who will help the baby's parents form a diet plan to ensure the baby is receiving proper nutrition. Call (866) 254-3964.

Volunteers, vendors sought for Oktoberfest

The Carson City Library Foundation Oktoberfest committee is recruiting volunteers to work at its annual fund-raiser Oct. 1 at the Pony Express Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Volunteers are needed for setting-up and tearing down, as well as shift hours at various venues.

If interested in volunteering for Oktoberfest, call Phyllis Patton at 885-9807. Spaces for craft vendors are also available (sorry, no food vendors). If interested, call Judie Fisher-Crowley at (775) 338-3834.

Artist's display up at Westside Ink

Westside Ink's featured artist for this month is Aliette Coeytaux. Her art will be on display starting at noon on Friday at Westside Ink - Books, Art, Pie, 710 N. Curry St. Call 885-9777.

Appeal editor speaks to Democratic Women

The Carson City Democratic Women's Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Grandma Hattie's. Guest speaker will be Nevada Appeal Editor Barry Smith.

Call 841-6355 or 885-9917.

Garage sale to benefit girl's battle with cancer

Kayla Vickers of Carson City has been diagnosed with a type of liver cancer that is extremely rare in children, heptocellular carcinoma. Her parents Karen and Rob Liebherr, need your help! They will be staying with Kayla throughout this ordeal near Oakland Children's Hospital, and, although they haven't asked, are definitely in need of financial assistance.

The only thing we can do for this family right now, is to show them, as a community, that we are here for them and that we care. A charity garage sale will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday at 1872 Railroad Drive in Carson City. Railroad is between Fairview Drive and Fifth Street. All of the proceeds will go directly to the family.

Donations will be accepted. Call 220-4818 to donate items, time, baked goods, services, money. Drop your items off at the address listed, or at the Nevada Department of Transportation at 1263 S. Stewart St. in Carson City, but call first.