Alpine watershed group seeking volunteers

An anglers in Hope Valley last summer.

Shannon Litz

Alpine Watershed Group and Friends of Hope Valley are looking for volunteers interested in helping with water quality monitoring, streamflow monitoring and photo monitoring in Hope Valley. Training will be provided.

A field trip to learn about the project will be 10 a.m. – noon May 6 in Hope Valley.

The West Fork of the Carson River starts as a small mountain stream flowing out of the Lost Lakes along the Sierra crest near Carson Pass and meanders down the eastern slope of the Sierra into Hope Valley Meadow.

As a result of various historical uses and ongoing recreational impacts, the stream channel in large portions of Hope Valley Meadow is incised and downcutting. Riparian canopy is present only intermittently. This results in areas of unstable banks and instream habitat that lacks complexity and provides limited cover for native wildlife, according to organizers.

The overall goal of the Hope Valley Meadow Project is to restore the full range of ecosystem services that this highly-visible and well-known meadow has the potential to provide including: natural water storage, flood attenuation, cooling and filtering of water, aquatic and riparian habitat, and recreational values.

A follow up field training will be scheduled in June for those interested in becoming Meadow Stewards for the Hope Valley Project.

For more information about the project visit http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/water-supply/storage-flows/hopevalley.html. Anyone interested in volunteering in the field, should contact the Alpine Watershed Group or Friends of Hope Valley to learn more - info@hopevalleyca.com or awg.chris@gmail.com

Anyone interested in participating in the field trip should RSVP by May 1.

via Record Courier

Carson Valley Pops receives $850 to purchase music and instruments

Conductor Elizabeth Eubanks, Douglas-Alpine County Chapter of Thrivent Director of Congregational Advocates Linda Reid, Carson Valley Pops Board Vice President Margaret Biggs and President Judy Sheldrew, accepted a check for $850 during a rehearsal April 2.

Special to The R-C

Carson Valley Pops recently received $850 as part of a fundraiser hosted on Feb. 26 by members from the Douglas/Alpine Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The funds will be used to purchase new music and instruments.

Thrivent Financial members and other volunteers raised $500 and an additional $350 was provided by Thrivent Financial. Through its chapter programs, Thrivent Financial provides financial support and other resources for its members to come together to help their communities and congregations through fundraisers and service activities.

“Thrivent Financial provides its members and other interested volunteers the opportunity to join in service and use the financial resources of Thrivent Financial to serve people and organizations here in our local area,” said Linda Reid of Douglas/Alpine Chapter of Thrivent Financial. “Thrivent chapter activities like this one connect congregations, institutions and volunteers to make a difference in people's lives.”

All Thrivent Financial members belong to a local organization – most often a chapter – that provides a way for them to give back to their communities, congregations and causes they care about through charitable activities, as well as connect with one another through social and educational events. Anyone can join in volunteer and educational activities hosted by Thrivent Financial.

For information about upcoming activities call 782-8210.

via Record Courier

Our Brothers "The 85"

The History of the
Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club

The Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club was founded in May 1932, as part of the larger Active 20-30 International. The Club has been meeting in the old Gardnerville Jail for its meetings for well over 40 years now. The Carson Valley Active 20-30 club has help restore and up kept the building to its current conditions. The building was once co-occupied with Douglas County Pop Warner. The old Iron Gate over the door upstairs has the initials "PWF" which stands for Pop Warner Football.

Many influential residents of Carson Valley have served in the local Carson Valley Active 20-30 club #85. Well-known names such as Lundergreen, Neddenriep, Fricke, Dressler, Selkirk, and Jacobsen to name a few. In 1960, honorary membership was bestowed on Julian Larrouy Sr. who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2004. Other honorary members include Harry Leavitt, Fred Dressler, and John Dangberg.

The main effort of the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club #85 is to raise money and enrich the of special needs children within Douglas County. Members encourage hands-on participation that serves to strengthen relationships, maintain motivation, and produce a high degree of personal satisfaction. It is a long history of the members of the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club to donate enormous amounts of time and resources to accomplish their goals.

Some activities the Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club #85 organizes, hosts or heads up include: the Carson Valley 20 30 Shotgun Shoot, the Easter Egg Hunt at Lampe Park, Carson Valley Days, and Project Santa Clause. Money raised by the club goes to local charities such as the Junior Rodeo, Relay for Life, Little League, Austin's House, Silver Spirit All Stars, and many more.

Check Out Their Website ... Click Here

Check Out Their FaceBook Page ... Click Here

Special Thanks to Silver Strike Lanes For Helping Make Our "Bowling for Kids" Event a HUGE Success

Sierra Nevada Active 20-30 No. 730 held their first Free Bowling For Kids Night on March 24 at Silver Strike Lanes to benefit backpack Buddies. Back row; Sheri Russell (Reno 20-30), Lisa Taylor, Felicia King. Front row; Megan Pieters, Melissa Diaz, Lauren Spires, Nicole Riley, Jessie Wetzel.

Sierra Nevada Active 20-30 No. 730 held their first Free Bowling For Kids Night on March 24 at Silver Strike Lanes in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

More than 130 people — kids and adults — enjoyed a free game of bowling. Participants brought many food donations as well as some monetary donations to benefit the local Back Pack Buddies program at the local schools.

Back Pack Buddies recognized the economic changes that have occurred in this community and its direct impact on many students. In partnership with staff donations and community sponsors they are able to provide food to students that would otherwise go hungry over a weekend.

“The 20-30 club would like to express our sincere thanks to Silver Strike Lanes for their generosity and support in this event,” said member Jessie Wetzel.

New Operators of Bowling Alley Strike a Chord

In the waning months of 2010, a Texas couple drove across the United States in search of the perfect bowling alley.

Joe and Diana Shaffer had spent their professional lives in an industry that had just collapsed, the mortgage industry, and, in their own words, “it was time to get out and do something fun.”

“When the mortgage industry tanked, we wanted to do something different,” Joe said Thursday, sitting in what became the final destination of his journey. “We really wanted to start or buy a business. We were interested in entertainment.”

The forty-something Chichester residents are the proud new owners (technically Diana is the legal owner) of Silver Strike Lanes in the Gardnerville Ranchos. Of all the bowling alleys in the country, Silver Strike struck their inner pins.

But it was a wild ride getting there. Before setting off on their odyssey, the Shaffers had planned to open a brand new bowling center and golf course in their hometown outside Austin. They spent a year researching the market and realized they'd need about a million dollars to proceed.

“So we thought, ‘Why not buy a center somewhere?'” said Diana.

“We literally drove all over,” said Joe.

Some memories of the trip would stand out more than others.

“We actually found a town in Missouri named Nevada,” Joe recalled. “We drove through town, and Diana said ‘No way!'... You have to be comfortable in the town you're in.”

Driving into Gardnerville was a different experience for the Shaffers.

“We fell in love with the mountains, the scenery,” Joe said.

The bowling alley they found on the edge of Kimmerling Road was not perfect, but it had potential, great potential, and by the beginning of 2011 they had signed on.

“What sold us was the private party room and the private lanes in the back. We didn't see one bowling alley with private lanes when we were looking around,” Joe said. “Cosmetically, we knew we could clean up, paint, put in new lights, or whatever. But structurally, that right there (pointing to the private lanes) sold us.”

“We also felt like bowling could still fit here,” Diana said. “Some people don't know we're here. People think to go bowling and they might drive up to Carson Lanes. We want them to drive back to our area.”

Besides hiring a professional artist for a new rendition of the Silver Strike logo, the Shaffers undertook many renovations themselves. They painted walls, added color, updated tiles, revamped the arcade, lounge, gaming machines and dart room, enhanced the food and beverage menu, and moved their managerial office and equipment retail from the back of the building to a glass-paneled room in front near the public lanes.

“Our customers see us and want to talk to us,” Joe said. “We want to be completely visible and accessible.”

Along with physical improvements, the Shaffers ramped up marketing. What they'd found in taking over was a shrinking customer base that had been siphoned off by Carson Lanes. Even local league teams had migrated north.

“League bowlers are pretty picky. They want the machines working,” Joe said. “Now, they're starting to come back... We knew there were bowlers out there; we just had to get them back in and show them what we'd done.”

Twenty thousand game coupons disseminated throughout town helped get the word out. The Shaffers also started promoting unlimited bowling for a monthly fee.

“People can come in anytime they want and bowl their hearts out,” Joe said. “Every time you run the numbers, if you're coming in and paying twice a month, you've already paid for the membership.”

A year of upgrades, promotions, and hard work — the Shaffers have 10 employees but work daily — appears to have paid off.

“We actually turned a profit our first year,” Diana said. “We see new people all the time.”

Silver Strike has been hosting tournaments, fundraisers and office parties. Last spring, GE Energy rented out the whole center, and 300 employees showed up to bowl and enjoy a full taco bar, Joe said.

“We do a ton of birthday parties,” he said. “One of our goals is to get families in here.”

That social aspect of bowling is what the Shaffers love most about their new business.

“We love the interaction,” Diana said. “We've gotten to know a lot of people, and that's after coming into a community where we didn't know anyone.”

Located at 1281 Kimmerling Road, Suite 8, Gardnerville, Silver Strike Lanes is open noon-10 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and noon-8 p.m. Sunday-Monday.

For more information, call 265-5454 or visit www.bowlsilverstrikelanes.com.

via Record Courier

Meet Your Sierra Nevada 20-30 Member - Lisa Taylor

Lisa Taylor

Why did you join 20-30? How long have you been a member?

My cousin (Rita) and the cause. Almost 2 years.

What positions (both club and national) have you held?

None, I'm an honorary member.

Do you have a nickname? What is it? How did you get it?

Not with the club.

Do you like to travel and where have you been?

I have not traveled with the club yet.

If the whole world were listening, what would you say?

I'm here for you.

How long have you lived here?

It will be 3 years in June.

What is the main thing that makes you unique?

I will do anything for my family/friends.

What is your greatest strength?

I'm told I'm very nice.

What are most proud of?

My daughter, Kierstyn.

Do you have any siblings?

No, I'm an only child and it's great!

What do you like to do in your free time?

Hang with family and friends.