Nevada Briefly Feb. 25

Quilt, blanket drive will help the needy

The Carson River Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sponsoring a Quilt and Blanket Drive.

New quilts will go to Salt Lake City to be distributed throughout the country. They have a large need and very small supply.

The used quilts or blankets will go toward a very worthy cause locally. After they are cleaned, they will be donated to The Tahoe Youth and Family Services.

Anyone in the community who would like to help the youth in the area during this cold winter can drop off their new or used quilts and blankets at the church, 411 N. Saliman Road from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or from 6-6:45 p.m. Saturday. A final dropoff time has also been set for 10 a.m. March 12.

For more information, call Lori McDonald at 882-0580.

Donation centers hope to avoid winter blood shortages

Carson City residents are urged to consider donating blood at one of three community donation centers in our area to help prevent possible blood shortages this month.

Carson City United Blood Services is located at 256 E. Winnie Lane.

Potential donors can make an appointment to give at www.BloodHero.com or by calling 887-9111. Donors receive a free cholesterol test with every donation. Also, all blood donors in February get a chance to win a $500 gift card as United Blood Services' way of showing their appreciation.

Donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.

New Civil War re-enactors club offers dinner-dance

The Battle Born Civil War Reenactors is hosting a Winter Social Dinner and Dance with a no-host bar at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Gold Dust West Hotel-Casino, 2171 E. William St.

A buffet dinner will start at 7 p.m. with a Grand March at 8 p.m. Period dress or evening dress is encouraged, but not required.

Tickets are $21 adults and teens; $10 ages 6-12; free for ages 5 and under. Special hotel and RV rates apply by mentioning the BBCWR.

For information, call Jody Smith at 775-463-4004.

Swing dance party Saturday

High Sierra Swing Dance Club presents its monthly dance party Saturday at the Brewery Arts Center's Grand Ballroom, 449 W. King St.

There will be a lesson at 7 p.m., with the social dance at 8-10:30 p.m. Partners are not required. Lessons are $7 for any swing dance club members or $10 for nonmembers; dance is $7 for club members and $10 for nonmembers. Join the club that night, and the dance is free. Artisans' Cafe will be open. For information, go to www.highsierraSDC.org or call 775-629-9369.

Red Chamber on stage at CVIC

Red Chamber straddles traditional and contemporary, whether it be ancient Chinese string band music seldom heard in the west, bluegrass, or jazz fusion. These performers will set the stage on fire tonight at the CVIC Hall, 1604 Esmeralda Ave #100 in Minden.

The evening begin with a wine reception hosted by Tahoe Ridge Winery, Marketplace, and Bistro at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m.

Red Chamber is an exciting ensemble of masterful musicians bringing a new sound on ancient instruments to the concert stage.

Tickets are $17 for council members and non-members are $20. Purchase online at cvartscouncil.com, by phone 775-782-8207, or at the door. For more information, call or go to info@cvartscouncil.com

Health committee members sought

The Office of Minority Health is urging applicants committed to addressing the issues of minority health in Nevada to submit their resumes, along with a letter of interest, to Janet Serial, Office of Minority Health, 4126 Technology Way, No. 100, Carson City 89706 or jfserial@nv.health.gov, no later than March 4.

The OMH's mission is to improve the quality of health care services for members of minority groups; increasing access to health care services; and seeking ways to provide education to address, treat and prevent diseases and conditions that are prevalent among minority populations.

The OMH Advisory Committee currently has seven vacancies amongst its nine member committee. Board members are approved and appointed by the Nevada Board of Health and should reflect the ethnic and geographical diversity of the Nevada population.

The term of each member of the committee is two years, and a member may be reappointed. Advisory Committee members meet at least quarterly and are asked to advise the OMH program manager on all matters concerning the manner in which the functions of the office are being carried out.

For more information, call Janet Serial at 684-4232.

Join Nevada pipe band on Scottish tour

The all-Nevada Battle Born Pipes and Drums band will compete in the World Piping Championship at Glasgow Green on Aug. 13. In 2011, the band was formed to celebrate 50 years of pipe bands in Nevada and to perform for this unique competition.

The Nevada Society of Scottish Clans has volunteered to accept donations for the band. Checks can be made out to NSSC with "Battle Born" in the memo line and mail to: Nevada Society of Scottish Clans, PO Box 7723, Reno, NV 89510. For additional information, contact John LoGiurato, 883-5083.

Another option to support the band and see them compete is to participate in the "Pipe Dreams" tour, with a portion of the tour price going to support their travel expenses to be in Glasgow for the competition.

In addition to seeing the pipe bands compete, participants will visit sites within close proximity to Glasgow: Isle of Bute; Loch Lomond; Edinburgh and its castle and attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Free time has been built in for side trips or to relax in Glasgow.

The tour will be escorted by Bob and Lois Wallace, making their fourth visit to Scotland since 2000. Bob is current president of Clan Wallace Society Worldwide, and both are lifetime members of the Nevada Society of Scottish Clans.

For information about the tour go to www.travelunlimited.net, (775) 329-0658 or contact Bob and Lois at (775) 671-0148, or lois-wallace@charter.net.

Concert photography featured in March exhibit

A collection of concert photography, "Caught In The Act," by Nick McCabe is featured in March in the Backseat Gallery at Comma Coffee. An artist's reception will take place 5-7 p.m. Wednesday in the gallery, with appetizers served and wine and beer available for purchase.

McCabe has been a musician himself since 1967 and has been attending live performances since Jimi Hendrix in 1969. Combining his passions for music and photography produces many striking images.

He has been shooting concerts for several years and has been a regular contributor to a number of publications and websites. Some of McCabe's scenic work is on display at The Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. His musician-based work is available in Mad About Music in South Lake Tahoe, and some select pieces are on display in The Musicians Rehearsal Center in Sparks.

For more information, contacted at McCabe at nick.frontrowphoto@gmail.com or call 916-519-2196. Comma Coffee and Backseat gallery are located at 312 South Carson Street, Carson City, or go to www.commacoffee.com/.

Event to benefit Nevada Historical Society

Carson City attorney Wally Earhart will portray President Lincoln and deliver the Comstock Historical Lecture at the revival of Virginia City's Bonanza Days on March 5.

He will be joined by the Comstock Civil War Re-enactors who will assist in hosting the dinner in character. The Marshall Mint will premiere the first strike of its new Big Bonanza commemorative silver coin at the event.

The inaugural Big Bonanza Days Dinner and Awards Ceremony will take place at Virginia City's newest hotel, the Silverland Inn & Suites. Longtime Nevada media personality Dave Finley will emcee the program.

The Silverland is the major sponsor of the event. Proprietor Hugh Roy Marshall is a longtime amateur Nevada historian.

The inaugural Big Bonanza Silver Strike Award will be presented to the Nevada Historical Society for its 111-year commitment to historical preservation.

No-host cocktails and a silent auction begin at 5 p.m., dinner and presentations from 6-8 p.m.

The cost is $50 per person, tables of eight are available for $500. Seating is limited and the Silverland Theater is already 85 percent sold out.

"The society is undergoing serious financial stress and we want to do all we can to help," Marshall said.

For tickets, major sponsorships and auction donations, contact Webster at (775)379-4787 or jim@bigbonanzadays.com or John O'Brien at (775)224-5838 or john@bigbonanzadays.com.

Dayton community invited to partner with The Food Pantry

During March and April, groups are invited to partner with the Dayton Food Pantry for The Feinstein $1 Million Dollar Challenge to fight hunger.

"If groups donate non-perishable food items or money to Dayton Food Pantry in March and April, the Feinstein Foundation will add funds. The more donations we receive, the larger our slice of the pie will be," said Mary Piper, organizer for the local challenge.

Donations of food, cash, checks and pledges received from March 1-April 30 will be counted for the Feinstein Challenge.

Healthy Communities Coalition's Dayton Food Pantry is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 4 Enterprise Way on Highway 50.

For more information about how to get involved with the Feinstein Challenge in Dayton, contact Piper at (775) 230-1621.

Soil Whisperer to speak at Nevada Small Farm Conference

People who talk to their plants might be interested in attending the Nevada Small Farm Conference to hear from the soil whisperer on March 11-12.

Soil guru Ron Godin, known as the soil whisperer, will speak at the Fallon Convention Center.

Godin will discuss soil life, plant deficiencies, weed and disease problems, and how to amend soils for maximum health and crop yields. He is the extension agronomist for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture at Colorado State University and 2010 New Mexico Organic Farming Conference Educator of the year.

The small farm conference includes a diverse program of topics including beekeeping, small fruit production, marketing local beef, hoop houses, soil fertility and composting, egg handling, business planning, urban and school gardens and more.

For conference details, registration information and fees, visit www.wnc.edu/sci or call Ann Louhela at (775) 351-2551.