Local briefly

Neanderthals topic of Saturday lectureThe Jack C. Davis Observatory will continue its tradition of Star Parties at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with a free science lecture, “Caveman, The Story of the Neanderthal.”Mike Thomas will present the slide-show lecture about these human-like beings. Neanderthals lived for 200,000 years, and then disappeared 30,000 years ago. They were not human, but they acted like humans in many ways.A guided star viewing will follow the lecture.Doors open at 6 p.m. with the lecture to begin at 6:30 p.m. Lectures through the winter are scheduled on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, but will be canceled if there is snow on the road.The observatory is located at 2699 Van Patten Ave., on the northern end of the Carson City Campus of Western Nevada College. For more information, call Thomas at 857-3033 or, on weekends call Robert Collier at 250-0294.The next Star Party lecture will be Feb. 9 on “Mysteries of the Universe: Galactic Filaments and Dark Flow.”Celebrate the history and rhythm of drumsThe Brewery Arts Center presents “Durga’s Drum Story,” an inspiring multi-media performance on the rich history of drumming, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.Presented by “Drumchik” Liz Briscoe, “Durga’s Drum Story,” is a joyful rediscovery of the importance of community and presents a fresh understanding of the drum’s ability to unite people. Durga celebrates community, unity and life, because life is rhythm.The Brewery Arts Center performance includes 26 youth performers trained during recent drumming workshops in Carson City, as well as showcasing Briscoe’s storytelling talent and diverse percussive skill on finger, hand and stick drums.Tickets for “Durga’s Drum Story” are $15 for reserved floor seating; $10 general; $8 seniors and BAC members; $5 students (first-12th grade). For tickets or more information call 775-883-1976, or got to www.breweryarts.org.Valentine’s dance Friday at TahoeThe South Lake Tahoe Senior Center will hold a Valentine’s Day dance from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe.The Tahoe Dance Band will play music for listening and dancing. Partners are not necessary. Admission is $10 and includes appetizers, desserts, wine, other beverages as well as a free door prize ticket. Ages 20 years of age and younger will be admitted for $5.For more information, call Francine at 530-541-8380 or Arline at 530-545-1277.Genoa trail dedication SaturdayThe public is invited to attend a dedication ceremony of the newly constructed Genoa Vista Trail at 10 a.m. Saturday at the north end of the trail on Foothill Road across from Carson Street. Participants are encouraged to walk or bike the 1.3 mile trail to 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Refreshments will be served with entertainment and activities. Parking will be available on Nixon Street, Mormon Station in Genoa or at Walley’s with a shuttle service available to return participants back to the town.For more information, call 775-782-8696.Public urged to stay off the iceThe Carson City Parks and Recreation Department is advising citizens not to walk on or do any activities on frozen ponds and waterways in the area.Even though temperatures have been frigid in the region lately, frozen bodies of water are not safe to be on due to the inconsistent thickness of the ice. Please stay off the ice and inform children of the danger as well. For more information, call 775-887-2262. Sprouts workshop set for SaturdayThe Greenhouse Garden Center will hold “Easy Grow Gourmet Sprouts” workshop to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at 2450 S. Curry St.The workshop is hands on and presented by owner David Ruff. Cost is $10 and includes sprout seeds and a growing jar.For more information or to make reservations, call 775-882-8600.Yearbook course offered at WNCWestern Nevada College will hold a yearbook course designed to give novice yearbook advisers a solid grounding in the theory and application of modern yearbooking every Thursday beginning Feb. 7.For class times and location or to register, go to www.campusce.net/wnc/course/course.aspx?C=173&pc=13&mc=58&sc=0, or email the instructor at rkrugg@aol.com.CASA and foster parent event setDrop-ins can talk to Lori Nichols from The Division of Child and Family Services about being a foster parent, and to Chris Bayer from CASA of Carson City about being a CASA volunteer. The event is informal and attendees can drop by between 10 a.m. and noon Jan. 26 at Foodies Bystro in the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St. CASA will be accepting donations of clean, new or like-new children’s clothing for the Foster Kids Closet. For more information, call 775-882-6776 or go to www.casaofcc.org.Planning Commission volunteers soughtThe Carson City Board of Supervisors is accepting volunteer applications for a position on the Carson City Planning Commission to expire in June 2014.The commission oversees matters pertaining to planning and zoning, land use and growth management. Meetings are at 5 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center.For an application, go to the Carson City Executive Offices, 201 N. Carson St., #2. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 7.For more information, go to www.carson.org/volunteer or call 775-887-2100.Valentine’s dance Feb. 8 in MindenThe Carson Valley Arts Council presents a Valentine’s Day dance and concert featuring big band music by the Tahoe Dance Band at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the C.V.I.C. Hall at Fifth and Esmeralda streets in Minden. Doors open at 6 p.m.Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Guests are encouraged to dress in the style of the big band era of the 1930’s and 1940’s.For tickets or for more information, go to www.cvartscouncil.com or call 775-782-782-8207.