Local briefly Nov. 17

High Desert Rockers host earthquake specialist

Eduardo Maldonado, an architect with more than 30 years' experience, including earthquake damage assessment and repairs, will be the speaker for the High Desert Rockers meeting on tonight.

This free event starts at 6:30 p.m. today in the Capital Christian Center Auditorium, 1600 Snyder Ave.

According to seismologists, Nevada is overdue for a big quake, and Maldonado will cover major earthquakes and lessons learned, Nevada seismic risk, and risk management/earthquake preparedness.

The meeting will include door prizes, rock sharing, a silent auction, a rock giveaway box and refreshments. For more information, call 775-267-5144.

Collaborative printmaking presentation tonight

Geographical Divides: Finding Common Ground, featuring 16 Nevada printmakers, is on display through Dec. 2 at the OXS Gallery in the Nevada Arts Council's Carson City office at 716 N. Carson St., Suite A.

Eight printmakers from Northern Nevada partnered with eight from Southern Nevada to collaborate on a print portfolio exchange that visually explores the geographic, cultural and aesthetic differences and similarities of Nevada's two major regions.

Paired artists produced two prints from each collaboration. Each artist partially completed a traditional printing plate and sent it to their partner, who then worked on the same plate. The plate was then returned to the originating printmaker, who completed the plate image and printed a limited edition of the piece.

Sharon Tetley will talk about the exhibit and the collaborative printmaking process at a reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. today. The reception is free and open to the public.

The exhibit and OXS gallery are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Call 775-687-6680 for more information.

Black and White holiday luncheon Dec. 10

Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Auxiliary will hosts its Black and White holiday luncheon at 11 a.m. Dec. 10 with a bake sale and social hour, followed at noon by lunch, at the Gold Dust West Hotel and Casino, 2171 E. William St.

Entertainment during lunch includes Victorian Christmas carolers, a fashion show by White House/Black Market from the Summit, and a surprise visitor. There also will be a silent auction and raffle drawing with many prizes. This is a family event and is open to the public. Tickets are $40 and are available for sale at the Auxiliary Gift Shop at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center or by calling Delsye Mills at 775-883-1532.

For more information, contact the Auxiliary Gift Shop at 775-445-5142.

Food donations earn free flu shot vouchers

Carson City Health and Human Services is collecting food donations through Dec. 9 for its annual Homeless Christmas.

Anyone who donates two cans of food will receive a voucher for a free flu shot or nasal spray vaccine, redeemable from 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-4:30 p.m. on immunization Thursdays. Each family may earn up to four flu shot vouchers.

Bring unopened cans of food to the Health Department at 900 E. Long St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call 887-2190.

Democrats set up Angel Tree for Empire students

A Christmas Angel Tree has been set up by the Carson City Democratic Committee at Democratic headquarters, 502 E. John St., Suite G, to provide gifts to children who are students at Empire Elementary School and to the children's' siblings.

Participants are asked to come in, pick an angel from the tree and learn the first name, age, size, needs and hopes of the child who needs help in having a merry Christmas. Volunteers will gift wrap the gifts for those who need help wrapping. For information call 841-3367.

PAWS for Thanks hosted by Subaru dealership

Subaru's Share the Love PAWS for Thanks event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Michael Hohl Subaru, 2910 S. Carson St. The day includes pet adoptions, pet CPR training, raffles, pet products for sale, face painting and a coloring contest. Mayor Bob Crowell is expected to make an appearance.

Carson Tahoe Society for the Protection of Animals will be on hand, and its shelter will have a chance to win $20,000 from Subaru and the American SPCA. For more information, call Matthew Hohl at 775-885-0400.

Nugget hosts Pre-Noël Craft Fair this weekend

The second annual Nugget Pre-Noël Craft Fair is open from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday on the second floor of the Nugget. Gifts to fit any budget and style will be offered, including lavender products, scented candles, ladies clothing, handbags, hats, knitted and crocheted items for the entire family, toys, gift baskets, handmade greeting cards, gourd art and framed photography. Live entertainment by Mr. Spoons, Stan and Jo, and the Mountain Girls will be provided throughout the weekend. Food will be available for the public.

Proceeds will benefit Court-Appointed Special Advocates. For information, call 887-1294, email fred@eventsnevada.com or go to www.eventsnevada.com/Nugget.html.

Authors, publishers meet to share work

The first Sierra Authors and Publishers meeting was a big success, according to organizers, so writers and publishers are encouraged to attend the next meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Foreman-Roberts House, at the corner of Carson and Corbett streets.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a short reading. The goal is to provide each member with support, encouragement and information to help them put forth their best work. Critiques and readings will be discussed. For information, contact Pat Cuellar at lifeprints@sbcglobal.net or Sue Ballew at whitecatantiques@gmail.com.

Holiday Jazz and Poetry offered in Carson City

The Mile High Jazz Band and vocalist Sheryl Adams will be joined by Rita Geil and other award-winning poets for an evening of big-band jazz and poetry from 8-10 p.m. Dec. 13 at Comma Coffee. The theme of the evening, "Illuminations," relates to the holidays and to life.

Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state Legislature Building in Carson City.

General admission is $5 at the door, and free for age 18 and under. Dance instruction from 6-7:15 p.m. is $5 additional.

The Mile High Jazz Band plays at Comma Coffee on the second Tuesday of each month, and poets join them every third month. For more information, call 775-883-4154, or visit MileHighJazz.com.

Carson City Research Group invites public

The Carson City Research Group will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Foreman Roberts House at 1207 N. Carson St.

There will be a brief slide presentation showing the home in 1865 as it was located in Old Washoe City. Photos will include some of the family which once lived there - James Doane and Annie Roberts and four of their children, Josie, Mary, Richard and Thurman. A tour of their home will be included.

The meeting is hosted by Sue Ballew and Trent Dolan who write Past Pages for the Nevada Appeal, and by Eleanor Kolbe, researcher.

The meeting is open to anyone who loves Carson City history and wants to learn more. It's free, and refreshments will be served.

For more information, e-mail Sue Ballew at whitecatantiques@gmail.com.

It's a wrap

During the 2011 holiday season, Charles Adams will reveal 100 different ways to wrap a gift at 4 p.m. Nov. 27.

Adams will be offer a class-like demonstration to show just how it's done including proportion, balance, color and texture.

He also is writing a book entitled the "Top Secrets to Gift Wrapping and Decorating for a Special Occasion." It will show how to make the perfect bow, which is what makes the gift spectacular.

Anyone interested should call to make advanced arrangements to attend, and can plan to bring a gift to wrap

For more information, call Adams at 775-884-2959.

Volunteer applications sought

The Carson City Board of Supervisors is seeking applications from people interested in serving on the Carson River Advisory Committee.

The committee provides advice on matters concerning the development, maintenance, management and operation of the Carson River.

Meetings are the third Monday of every other month at 6 p.m. There is one opening in the following area for a three-year term which expires January 2015.

Applicants in the citizen at large category should be willing to serve Qualified persons to the advisory committee must be residents and registered voters in Carson City.

Volunteer applications may be obtained from the Carson City Executive Offices, 201 N. Carson St. #2, or on their website, http://www.carson.org, and will be accepted until Dec. 30.

For more information, call 775-887-2100.

Ladies Night Out for Food for Thought

Food for Thought presents its third annual Ladies Night Out from 4-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the south end of the Carson Mall.

For $10, participants can enjoy appetizers and wine to support the hungry children of Carson City and provide them with a bag of food for the weekends so that that can come to school on Mondays nourished and ready to learn.

Dozens of community members and vendors will be on hand with their products so that participants can do their holiday shopping.

Entertainment will be provided by Carla Wilson, and food will be sponsored and provided by the Carson Mall.

For tickets or more information, call 775-885-7770.