The FISH Ranchos Family Service Center is welcoming donations of warm coats and blankets
In anticipation of their upcoming winter coat giveaway, the FISH Ranchos Family Service Center is welcoming donations of warm coats and blankets. Collected items will be distributed at the giveaway event scheduled 3-6 p.m. Nov. 18.
Through Nov. 12, coat and blanket donations may be dropped off on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between the hours of 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and on Thursdays until 6 p.m.
The event also features a chili cook-off. Don a chef’s hat and register for the chili competition beforehand by calling FRFSC Manager Diane at 775-265-3474. Attendees will have an opportunity to sample the entries and vote for their favorite recipe.
Immunize Nevada (immunizenevada.org/) will be there to offer flu shots and COVID vaccines, and Carson Valley Medical Center will be on hand with giveaways and a water hydration station.
FRFSC is located at 921 Mitch Drive in the Gardnerville Ranchos. FISH is a local, non-profit social services organization founded in 1979 to help those in need. Their name stands for “Friends in Service Helping” and they provide services in the areas of “Food, Instruction, Shelter and Healthcare.” More information can be found online at nvfish.com.
Bear sightings a reminder to be proactive
Recent posts to social media and photos sent into the newspaper document the frequency of bear sightings in and around the Carson Valley, including a number of sightings reported right here in the Ranchos. A neighbor’s security camera captured video of a bear ambling down our street in the wee hours of the morning this past week and over the weekend, my son found two small piles of bear scat in our yard.
Several weeks ago, I wrote about the concern of wildlife being displaced as a result of the fires that have impacted our area over the past several months. These sightings serve as important reminders to make sure we all do our part to remove bear attractants from around our homes so bears don’t come to rely on people for food.
It bears repeating (sorry) that the Nevada Department of Wildlife details a number of specific steps that can help keep these animals wild. They include making sure no food is stored outdoors or left in cars, clearing fruit from trees and removing fallen fruit from beneath them, and rolling trash cans out the morning of pickup instead of the night before (or purchasing a bear-resistant container).
Douglas Disposal has additional guidelines available at douglasdisposal.com/ddi-news/be-bear-aware.
Bears are quick learners and will return to places where they’ve found food in the past. Last weekend’s scat discovery motivated me to pull the tomatoes, cut the grapevine back, and pick up the few apricots that ripened and fell from the tree in hopes of discouraging any more visits from hungry foragers.
While the chance of having a dangerous experience with a bear is slight, carrying bear spray while hiking is also recommended. Additional information and pointers about being Bear Aware can be found online at ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Bear_Logic/.
Oktoberfest at Carson Valley Golf Course
Prost! CVGC hosts their annual Oktoberfest golf tournament on Saturday, Oct. 16. Format is a 4-person scramble and play begins with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.
The tournament features beer, brats, and prizes. Cost is $40 per player; season pass holders pay the usual fee plus $20.
Call 775-265-3181 to sign up. CVGC is located at 1027 Riverview Drive in the Gardnerville Ranchos.
