Community Briefs for May 12

Postal carriers to pick up food at mailboxes Saturday

On Saturday, Northern Nevada letter carriers will again help Stamp Out Hunger in order to provide assistance to the rapidly increasing number of northern Nevadans who are struggling with hunger.

To help Stamp Out Hunger, simply leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable, non-expired foods, like canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal, next to your mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday.

In addition to the postal pickup, donors can give at the local grocery stores that weekend by placing food in conveniently placed barrels. Participating grocery stores are: Raley's, Scolari's Food and Drug Company, Safeway, Save Mart Supermarkets, and Smiths Food and Drug.

The local food drive will provide food to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Project Mana in Truckee and Incline, Friends In Service Helping in Carson City and Dayton, Lyon County Human Services in Yerington, the Carson Valley Food Closet in Douglas County and the Churchill Community Pantry in Fallon.

For more information, call Jocelyn Lantrip at 331-3663, ext. 127.

Mini Farmers Market on Saturdays

Linda Marrone will host a Mini Farmers Market at Greenhouse Garden Center on Saturdays from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. through June 4.

Residents can attend to get early seasonal crops from local growers.

For more information contact Greenhouse Garden Center at 882-8600.

28th annual Chili on the Comstock returns to Virginia City

It's the 28th annual Chili on the Comstock, chili and salsa cook-off inside the Delta Saloon Festival Grounds and right in the middle of C Street, Virginia City from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Nearly 40 professional chili cooks from across the West will compete for cash, prizes, and the right to advance to the International Chili Society World Finals later this year.

The whole town will be offering up their own chili recipes as they compete for the coveted People's Choice Award, said organizer Rich Crombie.

The event is free to the public, but chili tasting kits will be available for $5 each.

There will be many ongoing fun and family-friendly activities throughout the day including;

• Live music from the Rock N Roll Comedy Band and DJ Bobby G

• Gunfights on the street from the Nevada Gunfighters

• Traditional Native American dancing from the Eagle Wings Pageant Dancers

• The Comstock Civil War Re-enactors will perform the "Virginia Rio" with a traditional dance master

• Silver State Peace Officers Museum Antique Emergency Vehicle Parade at noon, then a show 'n shine afterwards from noon to 5 p.m..

• Face painting, street magician, vendors, raffles, sidewalk sale, and plenty of food and drink.

• Salsa judging, 11:30 a.m.

• Green Chili dishes are judged, 1 p.m.

• Red Chili dishes are judged, 3 p.m.

• Awards ceremony, 5 p.m.

Log onto www.nvshows.com for more information or to become a contestant. If you have any questions about this event, call Crombie at 775-240-7958, or write to rich@nvshows.com.

Wildflower identification walk for beginners at Washoe Lake State Park

Join Nevada State Park rangers for a moderate two-mile walk identifying the beautiful wildflowers in bloom this spring. Bring a wildflower field guide or share one provided by park staff to identify such flowers as phlox, daisies, butterweed, lupine, larkspur, paintbrush and many more.

The event is from 9-11 a.m. Saturday. The walk starts at the boat ramp in the day-use area.

There is no charge for the program - however, there is a $7 per vehicle park entrance fee. Nevada residents receive a $2 discount.

For more information, call 775-687-4319 or email washoelake@hdiss.net.

Dayton Healthy Communities hosts 5K

Stand Tall and the Dayton Task Force are sponsoring a Healthy Communities 5K Saturday at Como Park 250, Old Dayton Valley Road, next to Dayton Elementary school.

Cost is $10 for youth and $10 for adults.

Participants should come early to register. Race starts at 8:30 a.m.

Show community spirit dress in your most outrageous Maroon attire and you could win a fabulous prize. There are lots of raffle prizes.

For more information about how to sign up for the Walk/Run, call Lavurne Jeffreys at 246-7550.

Spring celebrated at May Faire

Heart to Hand School, 953 W. Peckham Ave. in Reno, is holding its annual May Faire 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday to celebrate the coming of spring.

It will featue organic food, live music, family-oriented games and booths as well as a crafting booth where children weave their own head wreaths from grapevine, ribbons and flowers.

Admission is free. Tickets will be sold for certain booths as well as for food.

For more information, call 348-6622.

Museum presents Women's Voices from the Overland Trail

In celebration of Archaeological Awareness & History Preservation Month, the Nevada State Museum will host a talk by Western Nevada College history professor Doris Dwyer 7-8 p.m. May 26.

Dwyer's presentation features stories from women's diaries and reminiscences of early pioneers who traveled westward on the trail.

Doors open at 6 p.m. This program is made possible by Nevada Humanities with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Nevada Energy. 

Museum members and children 17 and under are free; non-member adult admission, $8.

Dwyer holds a doctorate in American history and has been a professor at Western Nevada College for 31 years.

For more information, contact Deborah Stevenson, curator of education at dstevenson@nevadaculture.org or 775-687-4810, Ext. 237.

Pop Warner football, cheerleading registration set

Carson City Pop Warner is the oldest youth football and cheerleading program in Northern Nevada providing football and cheerleading to youth ages 5-15 years old.

Registration dates are Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Governor's Field Indoor Facility and from 6-8 p.m. June 14 at Straw Hat Pizza, Highway 50 East.

Football registration is $125, and cheerleading registration is $60.

For more information go to www.carsoncitypopwarner.com or call Kyme Brown at 775-721-4137.

Carson City Pop Warner annual poker night fundraiser planned

A poker night fundraiser for Pop Warner is planned Saturday at the Plaza Conference Center, 211 E. Ninth St.

Doors open and food is available at 6 p.m. with game starting at 7 p.m.

The game is Texas Hold 'Em, and there will be a cash prize for first and second place winners.

Cost for entry and food is $20. Initial buy-in is $40 with additional buy-ins throughout the night.

For more information, call Bret Andreas at 775-530-0096 or Kyme Brown at 775-721-4137.

Still time to sign up to go to Britain with Carson chamber

There is still time to sign up to go to Britain with the Carson City Chamber of Commerce this fall.

"It's a beautiful time to be there, and this trip will take in just about everything you have always heard about, plus a bit more," said Chamber Director Ronni Hannaman.

Signup deadline is May 20. The chamber is holding about 25 seats and already have 15 booked for this trip.

Participants can deviate from the published schedule by going early or staying later. The air cost will be the same and any expenses pre or post tour are to be absorbed by the traveler. A few extra days in London is something to consider.

Go to http://www.collettevacations.com/group-page/index.cfm?ID=405539 to see an itinerary of the trip.

"Don't miss the very best of England, a touch of Scotland and a tip of Wales on this wonderful Collette Vacations tour," Hannaman said.

Call her with any questions at 777-882-1565.

Singers sought for new Carson Valley community choir

Lovers of choral music are invited to participate in a community choir to sing with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra for the Fourth of July concert of patriotic music at Heritage Park in Gardnerville.

The community choir will be comprised of a variety of age groups. Rehearsals will be 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning June 14 at Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Lane in Gardnerville. Rehearsals with the orchestra are currently being planned.

For further information or to express interesting in participating in the community choir, call 267-4148 or e-mail info_cvmc@yahoo.com.

Get tickets early for fashion show and spring tea

Mayor Bob Crowell will be ridin' herd over local Buckeroos and Butterflies modeling fashions from the Boot Barn, at the Carson City Democratic Womens Club Annual Spring Fashion Show and Tea, noon-2 p.m. Tuesday. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Event includes fun games, raffle prizes and silent auction items as well as a buffet lunch. Tickets are $25 each. RSVP, as seating is limited. Call Margaret at 883-1082 or 841-DEMS. Mail checks to PO Box 2424 cc NV 89702.

Proceeds will benefit CCDWC projects and scholarship fund.