Community Briefly July 2

Fire apparatus wanted for V.C. muster parade

The Virginia City firemen's muster committee is inviting privately owned fire engines, as well as those from area fire departments, to participate in the muster weekend kick-off parade on the morning of July 16.

Those interested in participating in the parade may enter their fire apparatus online by visiting the muster website at http://virginiacitymuster.tlcurtis.com, or by showing up for staging near the historic Fourth Ward School on C Street at 8 a.m. There is no fee for participating in the muster parade.

This will be the largest gathering of antique fire apparatus in Nevada, with competition governed by the California Firemen's Muster Association that was formed in 1974 to standardize competition and safety rules. The muster competition is designed to give spectators a view of what it was like to respond to and fight fires "way back when." The two-day competition is open to the public at no charge.

The Comstock Firemen's Museum/Liberty Engine Company No. 1, a non-profit organization that has hosted several firemen's muster in Virginia City beginning in 1981, is hosting the firemen's muster as part of its celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Virginia Fire Department.

The fire companies of Virginia City and Gold Hill held contests in the early 1860s through the 1870s, testing their hand-pumped and steam powered fire engines to see who had the best, fastest or most efficient equipment and firefighters. For more information contact Steve Frady at 775-813-6911.

V&T Full Moon Train Ride fundraiser planned

Soroptimist International of the Comstock is offering the 2nd annual V&T Full Moon Train Ride fundraiser at 7 p.m. Aug. 12.

Boarding will be at the F Stret Train Station, three blocks down from C Street in Virginia City.

Cocktails, appetizers and dessert start at 5:30 p.m. and end at 6:45 p.m. It will be a full moon on the way back to the station.

The cost is $45 which includes appetizers, one drink and a door prize ticket. Additional drink tickets can be purchased for $5 each or three for $12. Sodas will be two for $5.

A raffle will be held with all the drawings done before the train leaves the station.

Proceeds go toward projects that will improve the lives of local woment and children.

For tickets or more information, call Dorothy at 246-2499 or Sharon at 246-1630.

Local teens can help Boys & Girls Clubs with school supplies

DoSomething.org and Staples are teaming up with the stars from ABC Family's hit show Pretty Little Liars for the Staples for Students Do Something for kids in need national school supply drive.

As part of the Staples for Students campaign, the stars of "Pretty Little Liars" - Lucy Hale, Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell - are encouraging Carson City teens to make a difference this summer by collecting school supplies and dropping them off at their nearest Staples store from July 3 through Sept. 17.

In addition, Staples customers will be able to get involved by donating $1 or more at any Staples store, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Carson City students in need.

All school supplies and donations will be given locally to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada to ensure they get into the hands of disadvantaged youth just in time for the new school year.

The local Staples store for supply drop off is located at 915 Jacks Valley Road in north Douglas County.

In growing the campaign since 2008 together with DoSomething.org, Staples has helped to raise nearly $2 million and has donated hundreds of thousands in school supplies for students in need throughout the country. Past celebrity supporters include singers Jordin Sparks, Ciara and Twilight star Nikki Reed.

The Staples for Students campaign is offering easy, innovative and new ways for teens to get involved in this year's programs. By visiting www.staplesforstudents.org.