Elks support student reading projects

Two local schools recently hosted special events to encourage a love of reading, nature, and outdoor activities.

Jacks Valley Elementary held a school-wide “Camp Read-A-Lot” event on May 17, and Meneley Elementary hosted their own “Camp Read-A-Lot” event during their Literacy Night on May 30.

To support each school’s program, the Tahoe-Douglas Elks used funds from their Gratitude Grant to purchase books for students.

Visit tahoedouglaselks.org/ to learn more about the local Elks lodge and their activities to support the community.

Partnership offers Naloxone training

As part of their mission to keep the community safe and informed, Partnership Douglas County hosts a Naloxone training 1 p.m. July 9 at the Douglas County Community Center in the Carson Valley Health Room. This training is open to the public at no cost and offers expert instruction on how to respond effectively to an opioid overdose utilizing this lifesaving tool.

Naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Participants will be taught to recognize an opioid overdose, how to properly administer Naloxone, and learn more about local resources and supports. In addition to the training, attendees will be provided Naloxone kits to take with them free of charge.

The training is limited to 30 people. Questions can be directed tot PDC Executive Director Daria Singer at dsinger@pdcnv.org or 775-782-8611.

Ladybug larva brings the luck

I spotted a curious looking little insect wedged in the stucco of an outside wall the other day, so I did what I usually do and snapped a photo to do some research.

Turns out this spiky little critter is a ladybug larva, evidenced by the distinct reddish-orange markings on its black, segmented body. With a voracious appetite for aphids, ladybug larva are a gardener’s friend and can help keep those pest numbers under control.

Ladybugs (aka ladybird beetles) belong to the Coccinellidae family of beetles, and more than 6,000 species exist worldwide. Females lay clusters of oval, yellowish eggs on the undersides of leaves. Their lifecycle includes both a larval and a pupal stage before the ladybug finally emerges as an adult.

If you’re fortunate enough to spot a ladybug larva in your yard, don’t mistake it for a pest. Be glad for the presence of this beneficial insect visitor; it can help keep the aphid population down and will continue to do so once it becomes an adult.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com