A strange look for a leaf

My dog, Zeke, and I take daily walks through the neighborhood, and I’m always amazed that despite the well-worn familiarity of our routes, there’s always something new to see.

On a recent morning, we came across a number of fallen leaves, many with curious bumps along their undersides. Jessica Gardner, Outreach Coordinator for the UNR Extension-Douglas County office (extension.unr.edu/douglas.aspx), told me they are leaf gall, which is mainly a cosmetic issue and not usually cause for concern.

Galls can be caused by fungal or bacterial infections, viruses, nematodes, mites or insects. The Morton Arboretum explains that feeding or egg-laying insects and mites can irritate or stimulate plant cells, resulting in these abnormal growths. Galls provide a home for the insect to feed, develop, and lay eggs in a protected space (mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/plant-galls/).

Further research led me to this informative article about leaf gall written in 2022 by JoAnne Skelly, Associate Professor and Extension Educator Emerita at the UNR Cooperative Extension: nevadaappeal.com/news/2022/apr/27/joanne-skelly-lumpy-bumpy-plants/.

Cooler temperatures are a welcome invitation to get outside and take a good look around; you never know what you might find out there.

Hot August Bites raises money for local causes

The Grill Next Door’s “Hot August Bites” fundraising event was Wednesday night, featuring a car show at 5 p.m., with a food contest at 6 p.m. and music by Miki Rae and The Hooligans at 7 p.m.

The restaurant marked its one-year anniversary of moving from the Gardnerville Ranchos to the Meadowdale Center, 1267 Main St., Suite K in Gardnerville, TGND owners Jenn and Dan Fredrickson invited the community to come out and enjoy a chicken wing buffet while cheering on 10 locals competing for top prize in a spicy-food eating contest. The winner will donate proceeds from the event to a local non-profit or charity of their choice, and donation boxes for each of the 10 causes will be set out to receive individual donations.

Tickets are $25 and include the wing buffet featuring a variety of different flavors, one beverage of choice, and entry into a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate to TGND.

The event is being held in conjunction with their monthly Big Mama’s “Show and Shine” car show held in the restaurant’s parking lot area. Attendees will have an opportunity to meander through the different cars on display, which start arriving in the lot around 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are limited to 100 and will be available at the door until they sell out.