Sierra Nevada Active 20-30 Blog

Getting to Know Your Sierra Nevada 20-30 Members ...

2012-03-07T15:14:00.000-08:00

Megan Pieters

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

I joined 20-30 to build friendships, make connections and give back to the community. Joined Dec 2007.

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

President, Vice President, Secretary, Membership Director, National New Charter Committee member

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

Maria. During a visitation to the Ensenada Club for their Installation, the members of the Ensenada Club could not remember/understand my name so they started calling me Maria. It stuck.

· Do you like to travel and where have you been?

Yes. But unfortunately I have not been many places. So far Denmark, Puerto Rico, Puerto Vallarta. With 20-30: Ensenada, Dominican Republic, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Folsom, Roseville, Auburn, Vacaville

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

Live life to the fullest, laugh 'til it hurts, love with you whole heart

· How long have you lived here?

4 1/2 years. Moved to Nevada June of 2007

· What is the main thing that makes you unique?

I try to find the positive in any situation

· What is your greatest strength?

Compassion to help and care for others

· What are most proud of?

My accomplishments thus far - earning my Doctorate degree, having a great career, owning my own house and giving back to the community

· Do you have any siblings?

Yes an older brother

· What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with family, play, ok, more practice, guitar, watch movies, spend time with my 20-30 family

Savor the Flavor Benefits Valley Women and Children

2012-02-22T14:39:00.001-08:00

Minden resident Pam Mann plays Megabucks at Carson Valley Inn last year. She won pulls on the Megabucks machine from the Soroptimist International of Carson Valley Savor the Flavor event. She won $502.

Shannon Litz / file photo

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley invites the community to have a drink, sample some food and support local women.

Their 17th annual Savor the Flavor event is 6 p.m. Saturday at Genoa Lakes Golf Resort.

“It's always nice at the club,” chairwoman Rosann Turigliatto said. “There will be lots of wine, beer, food, music, and everybody can have a good time.”

Tickets are $40 at the door, or $35 in advance at Battle Born Wine, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, Genoa Country Store, Nevada State Bank, Tahoe Ridge Winery, and US Bank.

Guests can wander upstairs or downstairs sampling food by Killer Salsa, Best BBQ, Genoa Cattlewomen's Association, Hamdogs, Papa Murphy's, Genoa Lakes and others. Wine will be provided by local distributors such as Tahoe Ridge Winery and Battle Born Wine.

Music will be provided by DJ Bill McClain and Vargas and Martin will play guitar.

For $5 a ticket, guests can enter drawings for 100 pulls on a Megabucks slot machine plus dinner for two and a one-night stay at Carson Valley Inn, or they can try their luck at winning a wheelbarrow of liquor.

There will also be a silent auction with prizes including spa baskets, dinner gift certificates and a stay at the Hilton in Huntington Beach, Calif.

“It's an assortment of things,” Turigliatto said. “Whatever businesses want to donate.”

Proceeds from the evening's ticket sales, silent auction and raffles support the women and children in the Valley through community grants, scholarships and awards to help women improve their lives through education and career advancement.

The Soroptimists donate regularly to Abbey Crossing, Backpack Buddies and Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley. They also give monthly cash donations to student achievers from Douglas and Sierra Lutheran High Schools.

Membership is open to working women. For more information about Soroptimist International of Carson Valley, visit www.sicarsonvalley.org, or call Brynn Bertuchi at 782-2268.

IF YOU GO

What: Savor the Flavor

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Genoa Lakes Golf Resort

Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the door

Info: 782-2268

via Record Courier

Mounted Posse Rounding up Scholarship Applicants

2012-02-20T09:06:00.000-08:00

The Douglas County Sheriff's Mounted Posse is awarding a $1,500 scholarship to a high school or home schooled student who plans to attend an accredited college in the fall of 2012. Interested students can obtain an application from Douglas High School, George Whittell High School, or from the Posse's website at www.dcsmposse.com . Applicants must have a 3.0 overall grade point average and plan to pursue further education in animal science, agriculture, or criminal justice.

The Mounted Posse has provided scholarships for many years with recipients attending Western Nevada College, UNR, UC Davis, Colorado State, Columbia College, Notre Dame, and others. The deadline for the scholarship application is February 24, 2012. If you need more information about the Posse's scholarship program, please call Sandy Jonkey at 782-4107.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Mounted Posse is a non-profit organization providing mounted and ground support to the Sheriff's Office, promoting charitable and public service activities within the community, and promoting health and safety among equine enthusiasts. The Posse participates in local parades and also assists other non-profit organizations for a joint effort in local events. Please visit our website for additional information about the Posse.

Take a tour - Kids and Horses

2012-02-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

Take a Tour | Kids & Horses

www.kidsandhorses.org

Kids & Horses is now offering a one-hour program and tour of the ranch to create more community awareness about our work. Join us at the ranch on a date listed below to see what we do!

Defibrillator Donation to Schools Strikes Heart of Community

2012-02-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Minden Rotary members, far right, Tim Ghan and John Carne, recently presented school district nurses and staff with 8 Automated External Defibrillators to be used at school campuses. Pictured from left are, Susie Brumbaugh, Carol Mortensen, Jen Ellis, Lisa Noonan, Mary Lahlum, Pat Sturgess, Lyn Gorrindo, Diana Schefcik, Brian Frazier and Rebecca Oxoby.

Jim Grant

Mary Lahlum knows that tragedy doesn't discriminate. It befalls adults and children the same.

“When you lose a kid, it really takes a toll on the community,” she said Wednesday. “Every time I turn around, I hear about something else. A cheerleader in L.A. A guy running a marathon in Scotland. It doesn't discriminate.”

Lahlum expressed nothing but gratitude for those community members who recently came together to fund eight automated external defibrillators in Douglas County schools. At the same time, she hopes the machines will never be used.

“At least they'll be there,” she said. “Minutes count. If an AED is on the premises, it can buy time for the person until medical professionals arrive on scene.”

Lahlum is a health aide at Gardnerville Elementary School, but she has more than a professional stake in the medical technology.

“It's near and dear to me,” she said. “If it saves one life, then all the cost and work put into it is so worthwhile.”

In April 2009, Lahlum's 15-year-old daughter collapsed at a swim meet in Carson City. Molly Lahlum, a sophomore at Douglas High, was pulled from the water and given CPR on scene. She died two weeks later while in intensive care at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

“Whatever it was, it chose them. Why? I don't know,” Lahlum said of her daughter and others who have suffered. “But now, if someone goes down here, we can give them a few extra minutes until paramedics arrive.”

The mother is not alone in her cause. Molly was the third student to die from an incident on school property, or at a school function, in the last five years.

In May 2007, Joe Molter, a 13-year-old eighth-grader from Carson City, died after falling unconscious during a track meet at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School.

In September of the same year, 8-year-old Britt Mattinson, a third-grader at Minden Elementary School, collapsed during football practice on the lawn of the Douglas County School District Office in Minden. Resuscitation efforts made at a nearby hospital were unsuccessful.

On Monday, Britt's family met Lahlum and Julie Molter at the district office for a presentation of eight AEDs, which will be distributed to every school site not already equipped. School nurses and staff members had spent the day training for first aid, CPR, and use of the defibrillators. Training will continue into spring with help from the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District.

“We're going to train approximately 10 more staff at each school,” said DCSD Chief Nurse Jen Ellis. “There will be a code-blue theme at each facility, and they'll be trained on this particular Powerheart AED. That way if something happens, we'll know who can respond. There should be plenty of trained staff on campus at any given time.”

Lahlum said the devices are easy to use.

“The machine talks and walks you through everything. You can't mess up,” she said. “I talked to our principal, Mr. Brown, and we're going to temporarily mount one close to the multipurpose room until the new multipurpose room is built. It's a great place because the room is used for all sorts of activities. An AED will be good not only for our students and staff, but for everyone who comes in.”

Ellis explained the origins of the donation. When she became head nurse in 2010, she realized only four of 12 schools had AEDs on campus. She then started a fundraising campaign to equip the remaining schools.

“After countless letters I had written in the winter of 2010 and spring of 2011, John Carne, president of the Minden Rotary Club, came through for us,” she said. “With the help of one very special woman named Ginger Easley, of ReMax Realty Affiliates, they together raised us nearly $14,000 through donations from various generous and caring people and organizations in our community.”

Donations came from organizations like Carson Valley Medical Center, and from individuals like Alex and Jessie Hilgenberg of Anytime Fitness.

“I'm still in shock that our community is so generous,” Ellis said. “This wouldn't have happened without them.”

Ellis hopes that other school districts take Douglas County's lead.

“I really hope that other districts in Nevada see this as an inspiration to do the same type of project,” she said. “There is no reason not to. It's such a life-saving machine.”

via Record Courier

Sock Hop Benefits Abused Children

2012-02-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

The Tahoe-Douglas Elks Lodge No. 2670 is hosting a Sock Hop fundraiser with dinner, guest speaker and live music to benefit Project Safe Haven.

The event is 5 p.m., Feb. 11 at the Lodge, 1227 Kimmerling Road, Gardnerville. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased by Monday.

The Nevada State Elks Association designated Project Safe Haven, a statewide emergency shelter care program for abused and neglected children, as its state major project in 1990. It was initiated as a joint project between the Nevada State Elks Association and the State of Nevada, Department of Human Resources - Division of Child and Family Services.

Cocktails begin at 5 p.m., with a hamburger/hotdog dinner served at 6 p.m.

Marla Morris of the Division of Child and Family Services in Carson City will speak about Project Safe Haven following dinner.

There will also be a bake sale, silent auction and raffles. Fabrizio will provide the music entertainment, and attendees are encouraged to wear their best 1950s-style attire.

The money donated from the sock hop is used solely to support about 150 Safe Haven Homes that care for the children when they are removed from harms way and placed into Safe Haven foster care homes.

All of the Safe Haven emergency shelter care homes are nonprofit foster homes that undergo very stringent inspections and investigation before being licensed by the state. Often the Safe Haven Homes are called upon in the middle of the night, weekend and holidays to provide a nurturing and supportive home for children, who are traumatized as a result of abuse and neglect.

For more information or tickets, call Toni Wendt at 265-6136.

via Record Courier

Mardi Gras benefits Austin's House

2012-02-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

The fourth annual Mardi Gras Magic Dinner & Dance to benefit Austin's House is Feb. 17 at the Carson Valley Inn.

The fundraiser recreates the party atmosphere of Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday with food, music, dancing, raffle prizes and a grand prize drawing for a trip to “The Big Easy.”

“It's not only for a great cause, but it's a great time,” said Conrad Buedel, board of directors vice president. “Most people get dressed up in Mardi Gras costumes, and this year we have more space for dancing.”

The evening starts at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour. Then attendees will feast on a Cajun buffet dinner featuring peel and eat shrimp, chicken gumbo, blackened fish, sausage steamed in beer and smoked rib eye roast with all of the trimmings.

After dinner, dancing music is provided by Fabrizio. Raffle prizes will be drawn every 15 minutes. The silent auction features tickets to a Reno Aces game, a flight in a 1942 Navy Trainer Biplane, Lake Tahoe lodging packages and Genoa Lakes golf packages.

Tickets are $50. Tables of 10 are available for $500. Only 200 tickets will be sold. Call Austin's House at 267-6711 to order your tickets. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

You need not be present to win the grand prize drawing for a three day, two night vacation at the 4-Star Harrah's New Orleans including dinner for two at Besh Steakhouse, tickets to the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas and Entergy IMAX theater plus $500 towards airfare. Tickets can be purchased for $20 from Austin's House or any member of the board of directors.

Austin's House is the only emergency children's shelter in rural Northern Nevada.

Austin's House provides services and care for up to 10 children from infants to age 18. The children are placed at Austin's House after being removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Austin's House provides the basic living necessities including proper nutrition, hygiene, rest, nurturing, recreation, companionship, life skills training and education.

The facility depends on continued generous support from the community to keep the doors open. For more information or to make a donation to Austin's House, call 267-6711 or visit www.austin shouse.org.

via Record Courier

Region 4 Meeting is Coming!

2012-01-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/events/311622572222109/

Description

The Spring Region 4 Meeting AND Annual 4 Club Dinner are both hosted this year by the club that's # 85 in your programs and #1 in your hearts - The Carson Valley 85. An afternoon and evening of great times are planned for everyone in attendance. Jeremy "Germ" Davidson has worked to put together a great event for the rest of Active 20 30 and the Red Scourge looks forward to showing the rest of 20 30 another of our long line of great nights.

So here is an outline of the event. It’s all going to take place at the newly renovated Carson Valley inn and casino. We will start out in the private “Picon Bar” with a cocktail reception. This private bar is AWESOME and the bar is only stocked with top shelf premium alcohol. If you would like to drink at the cocktail reception there is an $18 dollar charge but that’s for UNLIMITED drinks for that hour! Then from 2-4pm we will move into the meeting room set-up in a u-shape seating for the regional meeting. In that room don’t worry you wont have to go far to purchase a drink as we will have beer on ice. After a short break to change, gamble, drink or relax in your room upstairs we will then have the 4 club dinner in the ballroom. Dinner will be $27 dollars a person with an “Nevada Grill” style buffet. There will also be a no-host bar in the ballroom. Following dinner we can all move upstairs to listen to live music in one of the bars, hit the machines or tables for a little gambling. If you would like a room for the night Carson valley inn has blocked us out some rooms: Hotel rooms are $75 dollars a night or $69 dollars a night next door at the motor lodge. The group number for these rates is 503093. If you have any questions please message Jeremy “Germ” Davidson and let me know.

There Is No Time To Be Afraid

2012-01-27T07:15:00.000-08:00

I'm in full-on Super Bowl mode with the big game just over a week away and my calendar dominated with volunteer shifts. I thought I'd wrap up this week with this sports-inspired piece of motivation.

This applies to every aspect of our lives as leaders and learners. It's right - we only get one go around. Is it worth behaving badly or sitting scared? What would you take on if that little voice in the back of your head would just shut up?

via Active 20-30 Blog

To Quote - Be The Best

2012-01-25T09:31:00.000-08:00

To Quote - Be The Best...

Martin Luther King, Jr. has so many memorable and inspiring quotes to his credit. Many were circulating on Facebook, Twitter and the blogosphere Monday as the nation celebrated his amazing legacy. The two quotes below go hand-in-hand and, I believe, are necessary to be reminded of as we continue to develop as servant leaders in our communities.

  "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance."

"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.   If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are."

To me, these speak to the personal growth aspect of our mission. It's an attitude. It's an expectation. It's setting a standard for those who follow behind us.

And, just in case you were curious... that's a picture of Stanley the Street Sweeper from WOW Toys.

via Active 20-30 Blog

2012-01-21T16:26:00.000-08:00

Gary Lynch and 10-year-old Ashley
dance to ‘Old Time Rock and Roll' at the annual
Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance at the St. Gall
Pastoral Center last year.

Shannon Litz

Since the first father-daughter dance in 1998 Dewayne Allmett and his daughters have attended every year except one when they didn't buy their tickets in time.

This year, Allmett was sure to get his tickets early.

“It's something that's just for me and them. We make a night of it and go to dinner,” he said. “They like to dress up and do some dancing, and I really enjoy it.”

Although his daughters are ages 13, 14 and 21, the annual dance is something they still look forward to.

“Every year we pull out the pictures from each one, and it's fun to see how they've aged. It's neat to have a night out with just my daughters.”

Allmett's 14-year-old daughter, Savannah, said she'll never be too old to dance with her dad.

“Getting to spend quality time with him is special because we don't get to do it every day,” she said.

Alexa Hala, 20, has been attending the dance with her grandfather, Roger, since she was 5 years old.

“It's the only night of the year I get to have my own little date night with my grandpa. He's my best friend,” Hala said.

“When I was little he used to swing me between his legs until I got too heavy.”

She also said her and Roger's favorite dance is the “chicken dance.”

Sponsored by the Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department, the father/daughter dance is 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and 4 at St. Gall Catholic Church, 1343 Centerville Lane in Gardnerville.

Cost is $20 per couple and $8 per additional daughter.

Because of the popularity of this event, early registration is recommended.

Tickets are available at the Recreation Division located at 1327 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

For more information call the Recreation Department at 782-9828.

via Record Courier

Minden Man to Receive Aldax Watershed Award

2012-01-17T10:13:00.000-08:00

The Carson Water Subconservancy District has selected John Cobourn to receive the 2012 Andy Aldax Carson River Watershed Award for exemplary service in conservation and protection of the Carson River Watershed.

This award was created in 2007 to recognize individuals or organizations for significant contributions in promoting and achieving the Carson River Watershed Vision Statement.

Cobourn, a Minden resident, was nominated for his active involvement in the Carson River Coalition's efforts to raise watershed awareness, improve Carson River water quality and protect the River's channels and floodplain from urban and residential development through educational programs and publications.

Cobourn authored and coauthored numerous publications about the Carson River and has helped to plan conferences, draft watershed plans, and obtain grant funding for watershed education programs.

He participated in river cleanup days, Project WET youth education, the Nevada Day parade float construction, and contributed labor on projects that reduced sediment flows of residential properties.

“We continue to be grateful for his many years of dependable and enthusiastic service to the entire Carson River watershed,” officials said.

The award will be presented to Cobourn at the subconservancy district board meeting 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18 in Room 1214 of the Nevada State Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City.

via Record Courier

Interesting ... Remember When

2012-01-12T14:23:00.000-08:00

120 years ago

January 8, 1892

The board of county commissioners met Monday. Dr. Young was given the county health job with a salary of $27 per quarter. The quarterly report of the treasurer shows there is $ 7,829.94, in the county funds, the bulk of which will go to the school district.

95 years ago

January 12, 1917

F. Blackwell, well known trainman of the Virginia and Truckee company was in Gardnerville last Saturday working for the establishment of a Knights of Pythias lodge at this place. It is understood that he met with good encouragement and the chances are that a lodge of that order will be established here before long.

80 years ago

January 8, 1932

Several operators of slot machines in this county have informed Assessor Park, they intend to turn the faces of 25 cent machines toward the wall during the present quarter. They are not receiving sufficient play to justify the high license tax, operators declare. Most of the play is going to nickel and ten cent machines, and a quarter just now, is altogether too much money to gamble with.

50 years ago

January 11, 1962

The Minden and Gardnerville town boards last week agreed to a $25 a month raise for Night Watchman Red Lester, who patrols the two towns at night. The raise was sponsored by Douglas County Sheriff George Byers. Each town will pay $12.50 of the increase.

25 years ago

January 15, 1987

Rooms in the Minden Inn remained deserted this week after the state closed most of the building because of continuous safety violations. The state Fire Marshal's office closed the basement, second and third floors Friday but will allow owner William Casentini to keep the bar open until Feb. 2.

10 years ago

January 12, 2002

While carefully monitoring grading at the Wal-Mart site on the west side of Highway 395 at the Douglas County line, Washoe Tribe officials are now turning their attention to a potential development in the hills above Jacks Valley. Environmental officials for the Washoe tribe say a proposed high-end golf course and housing development near Clear Creek will disrupt cultural and environmentally sensitive land the tribe owns adjacent to the development.

Douglas High School Students Receive Holiday Suprise!

2012-01-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

Douglas High teacher Keith Cole, Lauren Spires, Leslie Batistich, Rita Roberts, Lisa Taylor, Nicole Riley and Mike Rechs at Douglas High School.Special to The R-C

Sierra Nevada Active 20-30 No. 730 recently assisted the Students in Transition program at Douglas High School.

Gift cards for Target were purchased and donated to the students for the purchase of personal products, clothing, etc. Target was chosen because of the fact that their store does not sell any tobacco or alcohol products.

Students in Transition is a group of students who lack a, “fixed, regular and adequate” residence. Essentially, they are homeless students. Some are “doubled up,” living with relatives for the time being. Douglas High School has 21 students who participate in this program.

“I can tell you that as I distributed your gift, students' eyes lit up and they were very thankful. I heard comments like, ‘this is cool' and ‘wow, this is awesome,'” Assistant Principal Michael Rech said in a letter. “They expressed thanks, but I was sure to tell them that the gift was not from me but from your caring organization. Your gift is especially meaningful this time of year.”

The Sierra Nevada No. 730 and Carson Valley No. 85 Active 20-30 clubs annually donate thousands of dollars in support of local charities and children's groups, including Kids and Horses, Tahoe Youth and Family Services, Boys & Girls Club and Austin's House.

For more information or to find out how to join, visit www.sierranv2030.org.

Lights, Camera, Take Action

2012-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Active 20-30 Clubs across the country have executed some really unique fundraising ideas. Some have been conceived by members. Others have adopted events that have been successes for other clubs or organizations. A few lucky ones have been inherited from other organizations who chose not to run them anymore.

This is the case with the Redding Club and their newest fundraising project: The Sundial Film Festival. Presented with the opportunity to take charge of an already-established event that just needed a little TLC seemed like a great idea for a club passing their 5-year mark in the city.

It doesn't mean the project will be an easy one, though. They still have to secure entries (see shameless plug below), sponsors and guests. They can't sit back and watch everything happen - like every project or event, they'll be in the thick of it every step of the way. They do, however, have the benefit of seeing what's gone right and wrong in the past and get to put their own touches on the film festival.

I can't wait to join them in Redding on March 10th to see the photographs and short films that were submitted from around the country.

Scottsdale and Denver share the Brokers Benefiting Kids project idea; Albuquerque's kickball tournament plans have spread east to Indianapolis; black tie events, crab feeds and 80's parties are popping up among our clubs.

Feel free to share your experiences in taking a project and making it your own. What event have you done that you'd like to see spread?
The Sundial Film Festival is accepting entries through January 3rd (less than 1 week from now) Active 20-30 has some incredibly talented photographers and filmmakers, I'm certain. Why not take advantage of this opportunity to showcase your work?
For entry information, visit: http://www.sundialfilmfestival.com/

via Active 20-30 Blog

Volunteers Can Train To Nevada State Museum Guides ...

2012-01-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

Nevada State Museum is offering training Jan. 10, 11, 17, and 18 for those interested in becoming a museum tour guide. Training runs from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. each day. Volunteers must be at least age 15.

“Participants will receive four full days of stimulating discussion with curators, educators, and scholars who create a training environment that's both educational and fun. Volunteers are inspired by the quality of the speakers and the potlucks are just super,” said Deborah Stevenson, curator of education for the museum. Guides meet new friends and enjoy hands-on experiences and field trips.

The museum's diverse collections provide unlimited subject matter, so the biannual training is always fresh and new. No prior experience is required and all materials are provided free. To register, contact the Education Program at 687-4810, ext. 237 or dstevenson@nevadaculture.org.

Winter 2012 training provides something for everyone, with topics ranging from Native American oral traditions to the history of firearms and Nevada's state symbols. Field trips include tours of the Dayton Museum and the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Resource Center. Science and art lovers may enjoy children's nature programs and a mini Antique Roadshow.

The museum is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Changing exhibits include: My Nevada II, nature photography by John King; Dress and Designer, featuring Kathleen Sandoval's inaugural gowns; Nevada: The Photography of Cliff Segerblom; and Slot Machines: the Fey Collection. Admission: $8 for adults and free for children 17 and under and museum members. For information, call 687-4810. The Nevada State Museum is one of seven managed by the state Division of Museums and History, an agency of the Nevada Department Tourism and Cultural Affairs. For more information, please call Felicia Archer at 687-0646 or visit the department's website at www.TravelNevada.com

Upcoming Active 20-30 Events

2012-01-04T11:43:00.000-08:00

JANUARY 2012

January 14:: North Bay #656 - Celebration of Life

North Bay's Joey Gray's past active life celebration at Sally tomatoes in Rohnert park at 3:00. It will be celebration of his commitment to 20-30. Luau theme and a pig roast.

January 21 :: Redwood Empire #1029 - Crab For Kids benefiting Children of Sonoma County

Must Be 21 or over for this fun event, valid ID checked at the door.

Tickets are $45, including crab, pasta and salad

Dinner served at 7pm

January 28 :: Roseville/South Placer County #36 - Crab & Shrimp Feed

Jones Hall, Placer County Fairgrounds
6pm Cocktail hour; 7pm Dinner
Your $40 ticket includes all-you-can-eat crab, shrimp, pasta, bread and salad.
Also enjoy:
- Cash bar with beer, wine and cocktails
- Dessert auction
- After-dinner music & dancing
- Raffle/Silent auction
New this year: Purchase a table (8 tickets) and receive a complementary bottle of wine!
Visit http://www.rose-2030.org to purchase tickets online.

How Do you Choose ...

2011-12-31T10:39:00.000-08:00

A while back, I spent a whopping $3.65 and took part in what I can only describe as a social experiment in charity with Penny For Your World. Each day I receive an email featuring two little-known or grassroots charities serving different causes. I then have to pick one to receive my penny that day.

It's hard to imagine how many people have to be taking part in order for our pennies to add up to something meaningful for any single charity. Sure, we collectively could give thousands of dollars over the course of the year, but isn't it spread so thin?

The more I thought, the more I wondered if it's about the money at all. Perhaps its more about awareness of the organizations, issues and solutions that surround me. I see organizations I never knew existed: helping people still impacted by the Chernobyl disaster was head-to-head with supporting entrepreneurship for women in third-world villages; pairing pets-in-need with the elderly competed for my penny against helping a food bank feed hungry children in Montana; serving the families of deployed soldiers squared off against keeping high-risk kids in school.

You get the idea. All worthy causes. All major issues to those effected.

For me, some are easy choices, but most aren't. I want to help both, but I only have 1 penny for the day. So, how does one decide?

I've started paying attention to the patterns that have emerged in my giving on the site. For me, it's life-sustaining first (food bank), then life-enhancing (entrepreneurship). It's also close-to-home (United States), then abroad. Human, then animal. I don't know if any of these decisions are right and I could make a good argument for why the other choice would be equally as wise. But it got me thinking about the choices I make in my giving of time and resources.

We're faced with the same choices everyday. There are so many worthwhile partners and people in our communities that could benefit from the work of your Active 20-30 club, but you only have so much manpower and money. How do you decide which to serve?

There are more and more service organizations that do good work. How, when you were considering joining Active 20-30, did you decide?

I really am curious: when faced with such important choices, how do you choose? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

via Active 20-30 Blog

Douglas Children Up For Pilot Food Program

2011-12-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

A program to provide healthy food for low-income children who might not have enough to eat during the summer months will be piloted in Douglas, Lyon and Washoe counties, the Nevada State Health Division announced on Tuesday.

The division, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Education, Child Nutrition and School Health and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada was recently awarded over $478,000 to participate in the 2012 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children Demonstration Program.

To be eligible children must be currently certified for free or reduced-price school meals. From the eligible pool of 25,000 families in the three counties, 5,000 will be randomly selected to receive a summer electronic benefit transfer card, which they can use to buy foods like milk, cheese, cereal, eggs, juice, whole grains, beans, peanut butter, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

The award are a result of requirements included by congress in the fiscal year 2010 appropriations. That act required the U.S. Department of Agriculture to test innovative ways to address the critical need of providing low-income children with access to healthy nutrition during the summer. This household-based project will provide important information about the impact of cutting-edge interventions on achieving real progress in the fight against hunger among our children during the summer months.

“Some children really depend on school lunch programs,” said Richard Whitley, Health Division Administrator. “When summer arrives, a substitute is not always readily available.”

The summer food benefit card becomes available for participants to use the day after the last day of school in the summer and expires on the first day of school in the fall. The program is 100 percent federally funded.

Top Five Holiday Movie Houses ...

2011-12-26T11:57:00.000-08:00

Check this out ...

Really interesting article about the homes featured in
some of our favorite Holiday movies.

Top 5 Holiday Movie Houses (and 5 Honorable Mentions)

Date:December 9, 2011 | Author:Julia of Hooked on Houses | Category:Eye Candy

I have an ongoing series on my blog Hooked on Houses where I feature houses from movies. So when Zillow asked me to guest blog and list the best holiday movie houses, I turned to my readers and asked for their faves. I took a (highly unscientific) poll on my blog and was astounded by the number of tweets, Facebook comments, and emails that came pouring in on the topic, too. People feel strongly about their Christmas movies!

Here’s how my readers rated the movie houses. See if you agree with them.

#5. A Christmas Story

Ralphie’s house in A Christmas Story was filmed in Cleveland, OH, and has since been turned into a museum that you can visit — and buy your own leg lamp!

#4. It’s a Wonderful Life

George Bailey’s “drafty old house” in It’s a Wonderful Life (above) was part of the sprawling Bedford Falls set covering 4 acres on RKO Studios’ back lot. Sadly, it was razed in the 1950s.

Another home briefly featured in It’s a Wonderful Life is the Martini House, which is located in the fictional Bailey Park where George (James Stewart) presents the Martini Family with their new home. The actual home is located in La Canada Flintridge, CA (above). The scene is memorable due to the quote that George’s wife, Mary (Donna Reed) recites to the family upon presenting the house and gift: “Bread… that this house may never know hunger. Salt… that life may always have flavor. And wine… that joy and prosperity may reign forever. Enter the Martini Castle.”

#3. White Christmas

Okay, so technically, it’s an inn, not a house, and it was just a set at Paramount Studios, but a lot of us still dream of visiting Columbia Inn in Pine Tree, Vermont, over the holidays, and having a cup of buttermilk by the fire with Bing in the holiday classic, White Christmas.

#2. Christmas in Connecticut

The Connecticut farmhouse was just a set built at Warner Bros. in Burbank, CA, and we never even see the entire exterior — but the home used in Christmas in Connecticut is one of my favorites. I think it’s kind of a shame that Barbara Stanwyck’s character gives up her architect boyfriend in the end because the stone farmhouse goes with him.

#1. Home Alone

Home Alone was the clear winner with my readers, pulling in about 40% of the votes for best holiday house. The decorating may be a little dated 20-plus years later, but all that red and green wallpaper still looks like Christmas to most of us. The real Home Alone house in Winnetka, IL, went on the market for $2.4 million in May. (I compared the real rooms to how they looked in the movie here.)

Honorable Mentions

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Even though it didn’t make the Top 5, one of the most-searched-for holiday-movie houses on my site is Clark Griswold’s from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (above). How many lights covered Clark’s home? How about 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights?

Miracle on 34th Street

Susan’s (Natalie Wood) dream house from the original Miracle on 34th Street gets an honorable mention for getting the most write-in votes (real location: Port Washington, NY). One the movie’s most memorable scenes is when little Susan’s Christmas wish comes true when she sees the house of her dreams for the first time (above).

Elf

Who can forget Will Ferrell’s hilariously heartfelt journey as Buddy in the movie Elf? Buddy soon learns his father (James Caan) lives in a stately Upper West Side building in New York City at 55 Central Park West (above). Nicknamed the “Ghostbuster Building,” this was location to several scenes in the 1984’s “Ghostbusters” movie, too.

Bad Santa

The listing description simply says, “Location for 2003 Christmas movie,” but movie buffs will recognize it as the home Billy Bob Thornton‘s character took up residence in in the movie, Bad Santa. The 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom estate was recently listed on the West Hills real estate market and sold for the asking price of $950,000.

The Family Stone

This gorgeous home in Riverside, CT (above) was the home used in The Family Stone, a star-packed, romantic comedy featuring Sarah Jessica Parker. The 1860 colonial is the gathering place for the Stone family’s annual Christmas celebration. The 3,554 sq-ft house consists of 10 rooms — 5 of which are bedrooms — 3.5 bathrooms, and sits on 1.4 acres. With a classic, yet cluttered interior (see photos here), this house is the ultimate, well-worn home perfect for big holiday gatherings.

New Year's Party For Kids ...

2011-12-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

The Douglas County Public Library in Minden is having a party for kids to celebrate the New Year. Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 4 p.m. to learn how children celebrate the arrival of the New Year in other countries. Make a hat and wish on a penny or a grape. Ages four and up are welcome.

Please sign up by Dec. 27. Visit us on Facebook or Twitter, http://douglas.lib.nv.us, or call 782-9841.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays
to you and your
families from
Active 20-30 Club
Sierra Nevada #730

Active 20-30 International is a non-profit organization providing young adults with an opportunity to make a difference in the life of special needs children in their communities. The Sierra Nevada Women’s Active 20-30 Club #730 provides young women between the ages of 20 and 39 the forum and tools to positively affect underprivileged children in Douglas County. Sierra Nevada women support such agencies as Austin’s House, Backpack Buddies, the Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley, the Family Support Council, Kids & Horses and other organizations with a priority in assisting special needs children. The local Active 20-30 chapter of Sierra Nevada #730 works on carrying out this mission for the children of Douglas County.

For information on the event or becoming a volunteer with Active 20-30, visit our website at www.sierranv2030.org or call 783.8676.

Help During The Holiday ...

2011-12-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

Barbara Watson sorts presents at the Douglas County
Fairgrounds for Project Santa Claus on Friday.

Shannon Litz

Thousands of bags and boxes wrapped in Christmas-themed paper covered the fairgrounds pavilion floor Friday as more unwrapped presents continued to arrive.

Project Santa Claus volunteers were in full swing preparing the gifts for 350 families and more than 800 children. As of Thursday, all but 15 children had been adopted through the Angel Trees, and shoppers will buy for them using donations.

“Distribution day is very rewarding to see the expression on people's faces that get the gifts,” said Kiwanis President Gary Dove. “On the other hand though, it is very sad that due to the economic times they have to be here.”

The Kiwanis Club of Carson Valley collected used and new bicycles all year for distribution. They were able to give away 170 bicycles and helmets this year.

Minden Rotary member Peggy Frick smiled as she put the last touches of a curly red ribbon around one of her presents.

“I get satisfaction that the kids get presents to open. I am a definite Christmas person,” she said.

Frick estimated she would wrap about 100 gifts before day's end Friday.

For fellow Minden Rotary member Fred Wolin, wrapping jackets without boxes gave him the biggest fits.

“There's no shape to it. Trying to hold it all together you need three hands,” he said.

But, despite wrestling with unruly outerwear, he enjoyed being a part of it all.

“I enjoy giving back to the community, and I like to see children have a nice Christmas.”

Dave Bauer was in charge of ensuring the names on the gifts matched the Angel Tree tags. He was also responsible for organizing the unwrapped gifts by age and gender.

“The hardest part when you're 67 is what does a boy who's 8 want, because what I wanted when I was 8 is different. It forces us older folks to think younger,” he said.

Bauer travels a lot for work, but always takes two weeks off to devote to Project Santa Claus.

“I wish the families that were bringing these things in could see the unbelievable display of their generosity,” he added waving his hand over the rows of presents on the floor.

Since 1988, when Project Santa Claus began, 15,800 Douglas County children have been given a gift for Christmas.

Volunteers have until Tuesday to get all the gifts ready for distribution on Thursday, and more help is always needed.

For more information call Dave Nelson, 790-3502.

Happy Birthday!

2011-12-19T09:42:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Active 20-30 US and Canada ...

Active 20-30 US & Canada turns 89 years old today. We've gone through enormous changes over those years and have evolved into an organization that, I hope, would make our founders proud.

I often wonder when they set out on those first days what their hopes were for the organization. Did they have hopes that their idea would spread from Washington state and Sacramento, CA across the country to Colorado, Kansas, Indiana and New York? Did they understand the power of a few impassioned men (and women) could spread that passion to friends and strangers, alike?

In my role, I get bogged down some days with the challenges of sustaining and growing Active 20-30, of giving our members everything they deserve in exchange for their dues and dedicated service. But when I step back and look at the evolution - from year-to-year and from 1922 to now - I am absolutely blown away that this was all created and shaped by people, by volunteers with a passion for serving.

As you blow out the candles on your Active 20-30 birthday cake, what's your wish for the future of the club?

Bonus question: how should we celebrate our 90th birthday next year?

via active 20-30 blog

Volunteers Needed ...

2011-12-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

Volunteers are needed for sorting, piling and wrapping presents at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Pavilion Building. Project Santa Claus will go into full swing from Dec. 16 through 21. The pavilion will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the week except Sunday. There is no schedule, no sign up sheet, just show up. There will be two evening “wrap sessions” on Dec. 19 and 20, and the pavilion will stay open until at least 8 p.m. on those nights.

“We provide the materials,” said head elf, Dave Nelson of the Carson Valley Kiwanis, “All you need is a cheerful spirit and we'll put you to work.”

Project Santa Claus is the collaborative effort of many civic organizations. Kiwanis assumed the mantle to orchestrate the project last year when the long-serving head of the Project, Marilyn Malkmus, went into retirement.

“Marilyn was and is the heart and soul of Project Santa Claus, her shoes are too big to fill, but we're sure going to try,” Nelson said. “The Rotarians, the Soroptomists, Sertoma, The Lions, The Masons, The Boy Scouts, The Girl Scouts, The honor society from the middle school, Kiwanis, they're all out here. Everyone is pitching in.”

The Project Santa Claus program helps provide Christmas gifts to Douglas County children in need, who are pre-qualified through Douglas Social Services, Washoe Tribal Services, The Family Support Council, CASA or the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Last year more than 800 children were helped by Project Santa Claus and this year sign ups are on track to hit the same figure. Anyone can sponsor a child by simply choosing a name from any of the Angel Trees that have been set up in the Valley.

Nelson said that elves are needed to sort and wrap and handle any number of other projects to get presents ready in time.

“You can help for an hour or a day, children 10 and up can help too. We preheat the building but there is always coffee, hot chocolate and hot cider available as well,” he said. “So grab your neighbors and come on down. It's really a wonderful, festive environment.”

Bike donations are also needed, good quality used bikes that can be cleaned and repaired. If you have a bike to donate, drop them off at the Gardnervile Ranchos General Improvement District office on Mitch Drive or at the Town of Gardnerville Maintenance Yard at 1369 Highway 395. For more information call Gary Dove 265-9443. All the bikes that are received for Project Santa Claus are cleaned up and repaired by the young people at the China Springs and Aurora Pines Youth Facilities.

Project Santa Claus also accepts cash donations, the money is used to buy books or last minute gift items that need to be purchased.

“We have official Project Santa Claus shoppers that go out during the final week to purchase items for us,” Nelson said. “It's really amazing the number of people in the Valley that help with this project, but then it is a huge project.”

Contributions are tax deductible as Project Santa Claus is an IRS 501 (c)(3) organization ID No. 88-0258742. Mail donations to PSC, PO Box 3031, Gardnerville, NV, 89410.

Angel Tree locations Topaz Lodge & Casino - 1979 Highway 395 Carson Valley Medical Center - 1107 Highway 395

R & T Cleaners - 1389 Lampe Drive

Scolari's Food & Drug - 1335 Highway 395

Raley's Supermarket - 1363 Highway 395

Sharkey's - 1440 Highway 395

Tumblewind - 1600 Esmeralda

Taylor-York Salon - 1662 Highway 395

Bently Biofuels Outpost - 1350 Buckeye Road

Pulse Gym - 885 Mahogany Drive

CV Computer -1402 Unit A Highway 395

Wrapped gifts need to be returned by Thursday.

For more information, Nancy Hollenbach, 783-1821.

Video About Active 20-30 US and Canada!

2011-12-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

This is an amazing video all about Active 20-30.

Click Here

See www.active20-30.com for more information. Thanks for watching!

Future 20-30 Member ...

2011-12-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

Douglas Disposal Food Drive Begins 12.5.2011

2011-12-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

Douglas Disposal's 17th annual food drive is the week of Dec. 5-9. Donations of nonperishable food items in plastic bags should be placed beside trash cans to be picked up by a Douglas Disposal employee.

The collected food is weighed and delivered to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet.

Donations may also be delivered to the Douglas Disposal office at 1653 Lucerne Street Suite A in the Minden Village.

In 2010, Douglas Disposal collected 9,660 pounds of food from their customers. Carson Valley Community Food Closet is located at 1255 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville. For more information call, 782-3711.

Upcoming Parks and Recreation Classes ...

2011-12-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

Winter Wonderland

Children ages 5–12 will enjoy the day with arts and crafts, games, and movies. To be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Carson Valley Middle School. Cost is $15.

North Pole Calling

Children ages 3 to 6 can receive a personal phone call from the North Pole. Santa Hotline forms are available at the Recreation Department. Class will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Volunteer Santa's wanted. Call 782-9828.

Lil Ninjas

Ages 4 to 9 will learn in a disciplined but fun environment the martial arts, performing arts, gymnastics, grappling and self defense. Class will be Tuesdays or Fridays from 3:45–4:30pm. Cost is $59 per month.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Ages 5-11 can learn the popular and challenging art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Classes are taught in controlled, professional and friendly environment. Class will be Fridays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Cost is $59 per month.

Scrap Booking – All Day Crop

Enjoy a day to work on your scrap booking projects. Instructor Jackie Gordon will share ideas, and have tools available for use. Class will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Senior Center. Cost is $10 which includes a snack and water.

Latin Dancing Lessons

All levels welcome in this fun and exciting Latin Dance class. Class held on Thursdays from 5:30–7 p.m. at the recreation annex building Dec. 8-29. Cost is $75 per couple or $40 for individual.

Concealed Weapon Certification

This course will cover the requirements for Nevada State CCW and can be taken by CCW applicants or anyone wanting to learn to shoot handguns. Class will be taught 6-9:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and Dec. 16 at the Recreation Annex building and 8-11 a.m. Dec. 17 at Douglas County Shooting Range. Cost is $90 plus an additional $10 insurance fee payable to the instructor. Spouses are half price.

Beginner's Tai Chi

Learn this soft martial arts form that will include warm ups, exercises and repetitions. Class is on Saturdays and is ongoing. Cost is $5 per month.

Pre-registration is required for all classes. For more information on Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department's classes call the Recreation Division at 782-9828.

Carson Valley Holiday Festivities

2011-11-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

Gazebo Lighting. Minden Gazebo and tree lighting 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Live music and special visitor. Information, Roxanne Stangle. 782-2444.

Tree Bingo. Elks annual spaghetti feed and Christmas tree bingo is 5 p.m. Dec. 2 in the CVIC Hall.

Genoa Christmas. Christmas in Genoa is Dec. 2. Tree lighting 6 p.m., Santa visit and refreshments. Information, 782-8696.

German Christmas. German Christmas Marketplace is 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3 on Esmeralda Ave., Minden. Information, Roxanne Stangle, 782-2444.

Santa Breakfast. Breakfast with Santa is 8:30-11 a.m. Dec. 3 in the Genoa Community Center. Information, 782-8696.

Holiday Gala. Holiday Gala Gallery of Trees and Cookie Walk is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Information, 782-2555.

Lights Parade. 16th annual Parade of Lights is Dec. 3, Highway 395 from Gardnerville to Minden. Information, 782-8144.

Christmas Reception. East Fork Gallery Christmas reception is noon-5 p.m. Dec. 4 at the East Fork Gallery, Gardnerville. Information, 782-7629.

Angel Trees. Project Santa Claus Angel Trees are up around businesses in Carson Valley. Wrapped presents must be returned by Dec. 15.

A German Christmas in Minden NV

2011-11-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

The Minden Park gazebo lit for the season last year.

The annual Minden Christmas festvities begin 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2. The German Marketplace is 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3.

Born and raised in Carson Valley, Roxanne Stangle has been a part of the Town of Minden's Christmas activities from the start.

“It's something that's near and dear to my heart. It's a time for the community to come together, and you see people you haven't seen all year,” Stangle said. “I've taken pictures of little kids, and now those kids are young adults bringing their babies.”

Minden's gazebo lighting is 6 p.m. Dec. 2, and Minden's German Marketplace is 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2-3.

Beginning Friday night, downtown Minden will be lit up by more than 100,000 lights.

Santa will arrive at Minden Park at 6 p.m. to make the magic happen, and then fly off to his house for free pictures with kids young and old.

Prior to the lighting there will be horse-drawn sleigh rides through the streets of Minden by Borges Sleigh Rides.

Also on Friday is the Elks spaghetti feed and Christmas tree bingo at 5 p.m. in the CVIC Hall.

Although the craft fair on Friday and Saturday has been a Minden tradition for 21 years, it transformed into a German marketplace five years ago after Stangle and her business partners visited the country.

“In Germany, every town has an outdoor marketplace from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24,” Stangle said. “We thought, ‘this is so awesome' and decided to do one here.'”

Normally held inside C.O.D. Garage, this year's 21 vendors will all be outside on Esmeralda Avenue. Stangle said there will be plenty of outdoor heaters to keep shoppers warm.

German food such as pretzel bread sandwiches and bratwurst will be sold, and German spiced wine and beer will be available as well.

“German marketplaces have the coolest feel-good feeling to them with a sense of camaraderie and community. We're hoping to bring that to Minden,” Stangle said. “Our goal ultimately is to do it for 24 days like in Germany.”

Also on Saturday, All Hat No Cattle performs at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Montessori School's Cowboy Christmas performance, Carson Valley Middle School's choir and a karate demonstration. Rappin Rats will perform at 7 p.m. to conclude the festivities.

In the CVIC Hall, the Carson Valley Art Association will help children with Christmas crafts, and there will be a table for writing letters to Santa and the troops.

“Come down, meet your neighbors and socialize a bit while you shop,” Stangle said. “If you come once, then you're hooked on it.”

For more information on the Town of Minden events call Stangle at 782-2444, or the Town at 782-5976.

Be On The Lookout For Angel Trees!!!

2011-11-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

For the 22nd year, Angel Trees have sprouted up all over Douglas County to sponsor a child for Christmas. The wrapped gifts should be returned to the Angel Tree location by Dec. 15.

Angel Tree Locations

Gardnerville

Topaz Lodge & Casino - 1979 Highway 395

Carson Valley Medical Center - 1107 Highway 395

R & T Cleaners - 1389 Lampe Drive

Scolari's Food & Drug - 1335 Highway 395

Raley's Supermarket - 1363 Highway 395

Sharkey's - 1440 Highway 395

Minden

Tumblewind - 1600 Esmeralda

Taylor-York Salon - 1662 Highway 395

Bently Biofuels Outpost - 1350 Buckeye Road

Pulse Gym - 885 Mahogany Drive

CV Computer -1402 Unit A Highway 395

Message From the Active 20-30 President ...

2011-11-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fellow Active 20-30ians,

As we move into the holiday season, I'd like to take a moment and thank you each for your dedication to serving the children in your communities and the young professionals in your membership.

To share a few achievements... Turlock, Golden Empire, Napa, Scottsdale and all of the clubs who have recently held successful fundraising events - congrats! Congratulations to Brentwood on another successful trip to serve in El Salvador and thank you to members nationwide who joined them. Finally, a huge congratulations to Santa Rosa for being named Champions of Children (Wouldn't we all like to be called that?). We do have much to celebrate!

I hope you each enjoy your time with family and friends next week!

Trena

Judges Needed For Lighting Contest

2011-11-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

We are just barely into November but it's time to start thinking about the annual Christmas lighting contest for our neighborhood. Each year since we started the contest in 2006, the decorations have increased and the creativity among our neighbors has grown as well. The winner is presented with a plaque honoring their efforts.

Since Christmas is for the children (of all ages), it has been our tradition to have children as our judges. The only requirement is that they have someone willing to drive them around the neighborhood on different nights to be able to view all the homes that are decorated. Our neighborhood is quite large and occasionally someone might not have their lights on every single night, which is why it usually takes a couple of nights to be able to see all the decorated homes.

Last year's winner was Lisa and Dave Prosser for their winter wonderland display at the corner of Pinto Circle and Arabian Lane. They will not be eligible to win this year due to the rule that winners can't be named two years in a row. Other homes that have either won or put a smile on the children's faces include the antique wagon at 700 Pinto Circle; the lights set to music at 997 Farrier Court; 189 Arabian Lane; 1988 Palomino Lane; 1898 Wiseman Lane; 1994 Mule Lane; 769 Pinto Circle; and 1977 Lacey Court.

In talking with the previous winners, one theme is consistent: they do it for the sheer joy of sharing their childhood memories and love of the season with their neighbors. A lot of people have said that it brings a smile to their face to drive by the decorations after a stressful day. What a wonderful feeling to know you have brightened someone's day.

The decision will need to be made by Dec. 12 to allow for notification to the winner and pictures to be taken. If you know any one who would like to be a judge this year, please have them contact me at the email address below or by phone at (775)400-1265.

If you've not had the opportunity to ride the V&T train out of Carson City, this might be the season to try it. They are offering a Polar Express run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, from Nov. 25 through Dec. 18. Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas and adults can feel like a kid again as the magic of Christmas is brought to life by special characters from the book and a very special visitor. To purchase tickets ($34 for adults and $25 for children 3-12) or more information, visit their website at http://www.visitcarsoncity.com/attractions/vt_railroad_ride_polar_express.php, or call them directly at (800) 638-2321 for group rates.

Have a Ramblin good week.

Toffee For A Cause!

2011-11-21T09:32:00.001-08:00

Karen Berger, front, and Jeannie Burns make
Hallelujah Toffee in the kitchen of St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville.

Handmade holiday toffee is now helping to build bridges between Carson Valley and impoverished children of Kenya.

“We're telling them, ‘We see you. You're valuable. You're worth our investment,'” said Minden resident Karen Berger.

Berger, 33, has been making and selling Hallelujah Toffee for 10 years; but this is the first year her company has officially partnered with Minden-based Bridge Ministries, which provides scholarships for high school students in the Mathare slum of Nairobi.

“It's not even on the map,” she said of the slum. “There's no police department, no fire department. It doesn't exist on the map because they don't want people to know it's there.”

Berger's connection to Kenya is not by chance. In 2006, her father, machinist and businessman Greg Burns, opened a manufacturing plant in the same developing country. The operation, Essential Structures, employs people from the slums in the production of durable, easy-to-install structures for housing, medical clinics and disaster relief.

The Burns family is also one of the founders of Bridge Ministries, along with other members of Hilltop Community Church. The organization focuses on alleviating poverty in the Mathare slum through educational and entrepreneurial programs.

“Instead of a fish, we want to give them a hook,” said Berger.

She explained that high school in Kenya is like college in America: a student must have money to proceed beyond the eighth-grade. There is no public education for the poor. Parents who live in the slums and have a job are lucky to earn $2 a day.

“A lot of these kids are orphans because their parents have died from AIDS,” Berger said. “There is really no funding to send them to high school, so they become street children. They often turn to lives of crime or prostitution.”

Berger said that for $720 to $820 a year, a child can attend boarding school with food, shelter, mentoring and a summer camp program.

“I have no doubt the kids will do well,” she said. “You give them a boarding school with three meals a day, and they will just fly.”

Knowing times are tough, however, Berger decided that Hallelujah Toffee could help the effort. What better way to spread the holiday spirit than through sweet, crunchy toffee?

“We only use pure ingredients, the best butter,” she said. “That rich taste can only come from cooking it slowly and stirring it by hand.”

Berger's foray into toffee is an interesting story in itself. In 2001, her husband, Craig Berger, was attending medical school at University of Nevada, Reno, while she was teaching math at Galena High School. Using a recipe from “Grandma Miller,” from the Berger side of the family, she soon discovered the substance that would later become Hallelujah Toffee.

“My father ate a pan all by himself,” she recalled. “He said it was so good that I could sell it.”

Berger offered her product at a high school craft fair and sold out in the first week. She then used the profits to help pay off her husband's tuition.

Over the years, mainly through word-of-mouth, Hallelujah Toffee has grown into a holiday tradition. Ten years from its inception, the company has a brand new website to draw more customers. Craig Berger is now an emergency room doctor at Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center, and Berger has decided to donate 100 percent of toffee profits to Bridge Ministries.

Fortunately, she has a lot of help when the season arrives.

“It just fires you up,” said Jeannie Burns, Berger's mother. “In the end, these kids' lives are changed.”

With the help of friends, family and community members, the mother-daughter team convenes in the St. Gall kitchen the first week of November and starts cooking.

This year, the goal was 500 pounds of toffee. Sixty pounds already were sold by the second week of the month.

Berger said most sales are now conducted through the Internet. But Hallelujah Toffee will be available during the German Christmas Marketplace in downtown Minden, 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3, as well as at the Douglas High School Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

Profits from 500 pounds of toffee will pay for eight students in Kenya to attend high school for one year.

“People sometimes wonder why Africa,” Burns said. “It's because thousands of children are dying every day. There is no government support, no one to help them. Unfortunately, they were not born in America.”

Berger said she ponders the same question.

“I've asked myself what I can do for Africa. I'm just a mom. But then I realize there are hundreds of thousands of moms just like me,” she said. “I would like this to go beyond Carson Valley. There are people all over the country who would support these specific students. They have faces, they have names, they're ready. All they need is that scholarship.”

For more information about Hallelujah Toffee, visit www.hallelujahtoffee.org or call 267-0482.

For more information about Bridge Ministries, visit www.bridge-ministries.net.

Winter Wonderland is Coming

2011-11-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

Help Needed To Preserve Archives At Museum

2011-11-18T11:53:00.000-08:00

Did you see last week's cover story about the leaky roof at the Gardnerville Museum? We are really concerned about our historic archives getting wet over the coming winter months. Our building is old and things like roofs tend to wear out. Any amount of help you can give us, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated by us and by all the future generations.

The Knights of Columbus benefit “Bingo Night” for DCHS is tomorrow night. Doors at Saint Gall Catholic Church, 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville, will open at 6 p.m. with a warm up game starting at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and cash prizes will be awarded. Complementary coffee and popcorn will be available. Nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, wine, bottled water, and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Because there will be cash awards, no one under the age of 21 can be admitted as required by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

We told you last week that this year's Holiday Gala promises to be the most exciting ever. On Saturday, Dec. 3, our Museum will be transformed into a veritable Winter Wonderland and we encourage all our friends and members to mark their calendars for a fun filled day of holiday activities suitable for the whole family.

The Cookie Walk kicks off the day at 10 a.m. Cookies can be purchased until we run out. You buy what you need and keep your oven clean for Christmas dinner. Next, visit the Gallery of Trees. The elaborately decorated trees are prepared by various service groups, clubs and individuals and your cash vote for your favorite tree helps to keep our history alive. While you walk around, stop and enjoy the display of gingerbread houses created by members of our community. Vote for your favorite to win the People's Choice award.

Out on the front porch get your photo taken with Santa. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., if we can keep Santa away from the North Pole that long, professional photographer Craig Marshall and his wife Sandy will be on hand to capture that perfect moment of you and your kids with Santa. Photos will be printed and handed to you while you enjoy the museum.

Just when it looks like the day is winding down, get ready for the Parade of Lights Open House at 4 p.m. The Museum will be staying open extra hours for those coming into town to enjoy the Parade of Lights. The parade is sponsored by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Authority and offers a dazzlingly array of brightly decorated floats prepared by our local merchants and service groups. The parade starts at 5 p.m. but Highway 395 shuts down early. Be sure to arrive in plenty of time to stake out your prime viewing spot on our front lawn. While you're waiting, browse our gift shop where you can get an early start on your Christmas shopping. The Museum will be serving hot beverages for all our parade visitors.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Visit our website at www.historicnevada.org. Remember, DCHS and its two museums, the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville and the Courthouse Museum in Genoa, do not receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.

Douglas County Chamber Gathers To Celebrate 150 Most Influential People

2011-11-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki with Betty Jacobsen at the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce gala celebrating
Douglas County's 150th anniversary. Both were on the list of 150 most influential citizens.

Nearly 170 people attended the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce gala in Genoa on Saturday to learn who had been named the top 10 most influential people in Douglas County history.

A committee consisting of former Nevada Cultural Affairs Director and historian Mike Fischer, Laurey Hickey of the Douglas County Historical Society and Record-Courier Editor Kurt Hildebrand worked with Chamber Director Bill Chernock to select 150 individuals or couples who helped change the face of Douglas County since it was created by the Territorial Legislature on Nov. 29, 1861.

The list of 150 was published in the Nevada Day edition of The Record-Courier, but the 10 most influential people were unveiled on Saturday at Antocci's.

The 150 most influential people

ohn Q. & Rufus Adams

Andy Aldax

John Ascuaga

Ed Atencio

Ted Bacon

Dr. Franklin Baker

David Barber

Wanda Batchelor

‘Sharkey' Begovich

Don Bently

Louis Bergevin

F. Gregory Betts

Aldo Biaggi

Gerry Bing

D.W. Bliss

Richard Brockliss

George & Charlie Brown

H.P. Burnham

George Byers

Dal Byington

Ansel Casentini

Ellsworth Chappell

Rhoda Chichester

Patty Clark

Dr. Eliza Cook

Frieda Cordes Godecke

Keith Cornforth

Father John Corona

John Cradlebaugh

Henry Crippen

Charles Daggett

John Dangberg

Clarence Oliver Dangberg

Grace Dangberg

H.F. Dangberg Jr.

H.F. Dangberg Sr.

Harold Dayton

Jack Dayton

Susie Dick

Fred Dressler

Sen. William Dressler

Dar Ellis

John Etchemendy

Leander Socrates Ezell

Isaac Farwell

Paul Felten

George Washington Gale

Ferris Jr.

Lillian Virgin Finnegan

Milton & Ethel Fleischer

John & Mary Gardner

Lawrence Gilman

Roy Godecke

Harvey Gross

Robert Hadfield

J.W. Haines

Ernest Hand

Bill Harrah

Anna & Mose Harris

E.H. Hawkins

Don & Marlena Hellwinkel

Dan Hellwinkel

Fred Brick Hellwinkel

Carsten Henningsen

Lynn Hettrick

Joyce Hollister

Lew Hymers

Sen. Lawrence & Betty

Jacobsen

Theresa Jackson

Arendt Jensen

Mathias Jepsen

Moses Job

Mimi Jobe

Al ‘Jackpot' Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson

Stella and Knox Johnson

David Jones

Max Jones

Beatrice Jones

Hugh Killebrew

Pat Kimmerling

Stephen Kinsey

Ken Kjer

Abraham Klauber

Brian Krolicki

William Lampe

Julian Larrouy

Jim & Gerry Lawrence

Dat-so-lah Lee

Emil Leising

Jean Lekumberry

Glenn Logan

Leonard Ludel

Duane ‘Scotchy' Mack

Noel Manoukian

Jerry Maple

Joann Martinez

Wynne Maule

Howard McKibben

Bill Mendes

C.C. Meneley

Hans Meyer-Kassel

Jimmy Miller

Hiram Mott

Cerisa Mott Fettic

Israel and Eliza Mott Taylor

Jeane & Patrick Mulreany

Pastor Pete Nelson

Cherie Owen

Ben Palmer

Brooks Park

Wallace Park

William Park

Dr. John Pasek

Frieda Pitts

Walt Powers

A.C. Pratt

Bob Pruett

Spec Rahbeck

T.B. Rickey

Jake Rodenbaugh

Hank & Jane Rosenbrock

Gene Scarselli

Melvin Schwake

Bert Selkirk

Arnold Settelmeyer

Frank Settelmeyer

Fred Settelmeyer

Grace Settelmeyer

Raymond Smith

Clara Smokey

Herman Springmeyer

Marjorie Johnson Springmeyer

Papa Starke

Frederick William Stodieck

Garry Stone

Roy Storke

Jim Stratton

Snowshoe Thompson

Bill & Marsha Tomerlin

David Towell

Henry Van Sickle

Daniel Webster Virgin

Mary Raycraft Virgin

Henry Walker

David & Harriet Walley

William Wennhold

George Whittell

Harold Wyatt

Frank Yparraguirre

You

Partnership's Ring in Kindness bells out Monday

2011-11-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Partnership of Community Resources, Sapphire Wizard and many community members have been busy molding, painting and stringing for the last six months to prepare for the Ring in Kindness hanging of the bells.

Ring in Kindness bells will be hung all over Douglas County including the Lake beginning Monday. The butterfly bells have been created with love and kindness and symbolize community connection and support.

If you find one, the partnership wants you to take it home and hang it up, or share it with someone you know who could use a lift in their spirit right now. This bell is a reminder to inspire kindness everyday throughout your community, state and world.

If you would like to share your experience of finding a bell, volunteer time or make a monetary donation to the project, call the Partnership of Community Resources at 782-8611 or www.partnership resource.org.

The partnership is gearing up for their next hanging in the spring.

They meet the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Sapphire Wizard Fired Art, 1459 Highway 395, Gardnerville.

Active 20-30 Club Historical Findings

2011-11-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

Click Here - Active 20-30 Club Historical Findings facebook page

From the latest edition of the Active 20-30 Announcements

The National History Committee is looking into the history of our organization. From artifacts and scrapbooks to old copies of the Active Twenty-Thirtian magazine and other magazine/newspaper articles.

Please like the Active 20-30 Club Historical Findings page on Facebook to get updates on rediscovering our amazing history. Go ahead and add 20-30 club items, photos, stories, songs, and traditions! Let us know if you find an item on ebay and are bidding on it. Feel free to post comments, questions, or other areas of our history you think should be explored.

Thank you!

Michele Spilman

Active 20-30 #1032 of Greater Sacramento

2011-2012 Active 20-30 National History Chair

www.sacwomens2030.org

1,000 Trick or Treaters Attend the Annual Safety Street

2011-11-03T09:35:00.002-07:00

Nicole Riley

Lauren Spires and Lisa Taylor

Leslie Batistich and Nicole Riley

Halloween Coloring Contest Winners

2011-11-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

The winners of the annual Halloween coloring contest.
Not pictured is Analliese Muth,Kippy Spilker

Nearly 200 children age 11 and under submitted their artwork for annual Halloween coloring contest sponsored by The Record-Courier and the Carson Valley Arts Council.

Each of the first place winners received $35, second place winners received $25 and third place winners received $15. Prizes were donated by the arts council.

The winners were judged by members of The R-C staff and received their prizes on Friday.

The winners are:

Age Group 2 and under

1st: Alyssa Seward

2nd: Kira Northcutt

3rd: Liyana Gonzales

Age Group 3-5

1st: Adeline Carlson

2nd: Kylie Jo Minder

3rd: AnnaBella Tozzi

Age Group 6-8

1st: Laurel Thomas

2nd: Owen Carlson

3rd: Dakota Caughron

Age Group 9-11

1st: Hannah Sizelove

2nd: Jakob Carlson

3rd: Analliese Muth

150 Most Influential Douglas County Residents

2011-10-31T09:33:00.001-07:00

Each November, the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Authority hosts a gala dinner honoring outstanding members of the community. Typically, a volunteer of the year, business of the year, citizen of the year and others are the award recipients. This year, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the creation of Douglas County, the chamber gala is all about 150.

At the Nov. 12 event, held at the Genoa Lakes Golf Club, guests will see a list of the 150 most influential people in Douglas County history. Later in the evening, the top 10 most influential people out of that list will be announced for the first time. As guests arrive, they'll receive a ballot to choose their version of the top 10 and the guest who does the best job of matching the committee's choices will be suitably rewarded.

Also at the dinner, the 15 most important events in Douglas County history will be announced. Each of those events will represent one decade in county history, with one choice from 1861 to 1870, one from 1871 to 1880 and so on. All in all, it's a look back at the 150-year history of the county.

Tickets for this once every 50 years event and more detailed information can be found at www.carsonvalleynv.org or by calling the chamber office at 782-8144.

Tickets are $100 and tables of 10 are available as well.

150 most influential individuals, couples and pairs

John Q. & Rufus Adams

Andy Aldax

John Ascuaga

Ed Atencio

Ted Bacon

Dr. Franklin Baker

David Barber

Wanda Batchelor

Sharkey Begovich

Don Bently

Louis Bergevin

Aldo Biaggi

Gerry Bing

D.W. Bliss

Richard Brockliss

George & Charlie Brown

H.P. Burnham

George Byers

Dal Byington

Ansel Casentini

Ellsworth Chappell

Rhoda Chichester

Patty Clark

Eliza Cook

Frieda Cordes Godecke

Keith Cornforth

Father John Corona

John Cradlebaugh

Henry Crippen

Charles Daggett

John Dangberg

Clarence Oliver Dangberg

Grace Dangberg

H.F. Dangberg Jr.

H.F. Dangberg Sr.

Harold Dayton

Jack Dayton

Susie Dick

Fred Dressler

Sen. William Dressler

Dar Ellis

John Etchemendy

Leander Socrates Ezell

Isaac Farwell

Paul Felten

George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.

Lillian Virgin Finnegan

Milton & Ethel Fleischer

John & Mary Gardner

Lawrence Gilman

Roy Godecke

Harvey Gross

J.W. Haines

Ernest Hand

Bill Harrah

Anna & Mose Harris

E.H. Hawkins

Don Hellwinkel

Dan Hellwinkel

Fred Brick Hellwinkel

Marlena Hellwinkel

Carsten Henningsen

Lynn Hettrick

Joyce Hollister

Lew Hymers

Lawrence & Betty Jacobsen

Theresa Jackson

Arendt Jensen

Mathias Jepsen

Moses Job

Mimi Jobe

Al ‘Jackpot' Johnson

Elizabeth Johnson

Stella and Knox Johnson

David Jones

Max Jones

Beatrice Jones

Hugh Killebrew

Pat Kimmerling

Stephen Kinsey

Ken Kjer

Abraham Klauber

Brian Krolicki

William Lampe

Julian Larrouy

Jim & Gerry Lawrence

Dat-so-lah Lee

Emil Leising

Jean Lekumberry

Glenn Logan

Leonard Ludell

Duane ‘Scotchy' Mack

Noel Manoukian

Jerry Maple

Joanne Martiniez

Wynn Maule

Howard McKibben

Bill Mendes

C.C. Meneley

Hans Meyer-Kassel

Jimmy Miller

Hiram Mott

Cerisa Mott Fettic

Israel and Eliza Mott Taylor

Jeane & Patrick Mulreany

Pastor Pete Nelson

Cherie Owen

Ben Palmer

Brooks Park

Wallace Park

William Park

Dr. John Pasek

Frieda Pitts

Walt Powers

A.C. Pratt

Bob Pruett

Spec Rahbeck

T.B. Rickey

Jake Rodenbaugh

Hank & Jane Rosenbrock

Gene Scarselli

Melvin Schwake

Bert Selkirk

Arnold Settelmeyer

Frank Settelmeyer

Fred Settelmeyer

Grace Settelmeyer

Raymond Smith

Clara Smokey

Herman Springmeyer

Marjorie Johnson Springmeyer

Papa Starke

Frederick William Stodieck

Gary Stone

Roy Storke

Jim Stratton

Snowshoe Thompson

Bill & Marsha Tomerlin

David Towell

Henry Van Sickle

Daniel Webster Virgin

Mary Raycraft Virgin

Henry Walker

David & Harriet Walley

William Wennhold

George Whittell

Harold Wyatt

Frank Yparraguirre

Bill Zabelsky

You

Most influential families

Adams Family

Bernard Family

Bliss Family

Borda Family

Brockliss Family

Byington/Galleppi Family

Chichester Family

Dangberg Family

Dressler Family

Etchemendy Family

Falcke Family

Felton Family

Ferris Family

Goedecke Family

Hawkins Family

Hickey Family

Hussman Family

Jacobsen Family

James Family

Jepson Family

Johnson Family

Kimmerling Family

Kizer Family

Mott Family

Neddenriep Family

Park Family

Rabe/Sarmans

Raycraft Family

Schwake Family

Settelmeyer Family

Smokey Family

Springmeyer Family

Stodieck Family

Thran Family

Trimmer Family

Virgin Family

Wennhold Family

Wyatt Family

Halloween Happenings Around The Valley

2011-10-27T11:48:00.001-07:00

Children's Librarian Carol Nageotte, dressed as Tilly the Witch, will read Halloween stories on Tuesday during storytime at the Douglas County Public Library.

Shannon Litz

Harvest Festival. The seventh annual Carson Valley Harvest Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend in October at the Corley Ranch, 859 Highway 395, a mile south of Pinenut Road in Gardnerville. Pig races, straw maze, wagon rides, farm animals, pumpkin patch. Admission is $6 adults, $5 for ages 3-17 and seniors, free for children 2 and younger. Information, corleyranch.com.

Haunted Weekend. The Douglas County Historical Society's Haunted Weekend is today through Sunday. Ghost walks in Minden, Gardnerville Cemetery and Genoa. Cost, $5 per event. Information, 782-2555.

Spooky Stories. Join Tilly the Witch at the Douglas County Public Library in Minden for spooky stories 6 p.m. Oct. 25. Children ages four and up will to listen to stories from the books “Making Friends with Frankenstein: A Book of Monstrous Poems and Pictures,” and “The Spook Matinee: And Other Scary Poems for Kids.” Dress in a Halloween costume and receive a Halloween treat bag to take home. Information, 782-9841.

Harvest Party. Trinity Lutheran Church's Harvest Festival, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Free children's games, food, and candy. Non-threatening costumes are welcome. Worship music at the Sierra Spirit Praise Service at 4:30 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church is at 1480 Douglas Ave., Gardnerville. Information, 782-8153.

Safety Street. Douglas County Sheriff''s Office Trick or Treat Safety Street starts 3 p.m. Oct. 31 in the CVIC Hall, Minden. Cost $2 per child. Information, 782-9941.

Harvest Festival. Calvary Chapel Harvest Festival 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 31 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Free food, drinks, games, entertainment and more. Information, 265-3259, or cvcalvarychapel.org.

Spirit Tour. The annual Dake House Spirit Tour begins 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at 2242 Main St., Genoa. Thin Veil Investigators give tours of the house, built in 1872 by Genoa's first undertaker. Guides give an explanation of the spirit painting and give tours of the undertaking parlor.The Dake House, home of Antiques Plus, is listed in the “Encyclopedia of Haunted Places,” and has been featured in “Unsolved Mysteries” and on News Channel 8. Bring flashlights and cameras. Refreshments served. Cost is $10. Information, 782-4951.

Interesting Website of the Week

2011-10-20T12:44:00.001-07:00

Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Numbers Are In

2011-10-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

The Numbers Are In

via Active 20-30 blog

I received this report as part of a correspondence from Catalina Cuadros Vallejo, the appointed Secretary for the Active 20-30 International.

As a national president. it's requested that I submit bi-monthly reports showcasing our growth (in members and in clubs) and some examples of the work we do.

After receiving our first report of the term, Oriel phoned to congratulate all of our members on the impact we're able to make across our country, not just in a few impoverished pockets. Although this conversation tested my nearly-non-existant Spanish (thank you Brentwood Club for the translation assistance), his pleasure and pride was clear.

We may not build hospitals, but the work each of our members and clubs do is just as critical to the children and families we serve. Thank you for helping our association shine among our brothers and sisters Internationally.

I posted the graphic above to showcase how we stand size-wise. Active 20-30 US & Canada represents roughly half of our entire International association. As some national associations have lowered their headcount, we've continued to grow. I share this for two reasons:

1) it should be a point of pride, even as we're discouraged with the rate at which we're growing or our local struggles to attract and retain.

2) and more importantly, our association has an extremely loud voice and tremendous power to change the International association, should we choose to use them. We get 1 vote per member (not per association or club) at the International meetings. In January and June, your club president will be asked to send a member or a proxy letter to the International meetings. When you get this call (email), please heed it. Help us to use our voice and orchestrate change. Having nearly 1200 on our rolls and only votes for 1/4 of that (equalling the next largest national association) doesn't get us taken seriously.

If you want to learn more about the International association, how you can help to serve it and what it means for us to be a part of it? Feel free to reach out to me, your national IRO for the US & Canada (Kathy Jo Leom of Eugene #920) or the International IRO who serves under Oriel and connects all of our member nations (Gino Fortis of Sacramento #1). Active 20-30 US & Canada also proudly boasts a number of men who have served as International President who are also available to you as members looking to serve or learn.

Kiwanis in need of Christmas Bikes

2011-10-13T14:36:00.001-07:00

Kiwanis in need of Christmas bikes

Staff Reports

Have you started your Christmas shopping? Well the Kiwanis Club of Carson Valley has. All year long they collect used bicycles and tricycles and transport them to China Spring Youth Camp where the kids there refurbish them. In December the bikes are donated to Project Santa Claus for disbursement to needy families in Douglas County.

Last year, Project Santa Claus had a request for 260 bikes, but Kiwanis were only able to supply 192 bikes. They were able to hand out 215 new helmets and for the first time able to give helmets to all children who received bikes, tricycles, skateboards and scooters. They are in need of help to meet their goal this year of supplying a bike and a new helmet for every needy child.

Used bikes in need of a little TLC or minor repair (only repairable bikes) can be dropped off at the following locations.

Town of Gardnerville – Maintenance Yard (next to Raley's)

1369 Highway 395, Gardnerville, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District

931 Mitch Drive, Gardnerville, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Topaz Ranch Estates GID & Water Company

3924 Carter Way, Wellington, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Monetary, new helmet, new bike donations, or for more information contact, Gary Dove (775) 265-9443 or Tom Peters (775) 781-8924.

Zombie Crawl in Record Courier

2011-10-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Sierra Nevada Active 20-30 Women's Club is hosting a Halloween themed “Zombie Crawl” at 6 p.m. Oct. 22.

The event will feature a costume contest, poker run and drink specials at all five bars.

Beginning at Buckaroo's Saloon participants will crawl to The Overland, The French, Sharkey's Casino, The JT and back to Buckaroos. Pre-Register at www.sierranv2030.org for $15, or at the door for $20. Proceeds from the Zombie Crawl benefit the children of Douglas County.

Active 20-30 International is a non-profit organization providing young adults with an opportunity to make a difference in the life of special needs children in their communities. The Sierra Nevada Women's Active 20-30 Club No. 730 provides young women between the ages of 20 and 39 the forum and tools to positively affect underprivileged children in Douglas County. Sierra Nevada women support such agencies as Austin's House, Backpack Buddies, the Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley, the Family Support Council, Kids & Horses and other organizations with a priority in assisting special needs children. The local Active 20-30 chapter of Sierra Nevada No.730 works on carrying out this mission for the children of Douglas County.

For information on the event or becoming a volunteer with Active 20-30, visit www.sierranv2030.org, or call 783-8676.

Corley Ranch Harvest Festival - Weekends Through The End Of October

2011-10-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Carson Valley Harvest Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend in October at the Corley Ranch, 859 Highway 395, a mile south of Pinenut Road in Gardnerville.

The festival includes farm animals, wagon, train and miniature horse rides, a two-acre corn maze in the shape of Nevada, a kids' straw maze, pig races, miniature golf and Frisbee golf, pumpkin sales, crafts and vendors. Food and drinks are available for purchase.

Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 3 to 17, free for children 2 and younger.

Bring your own flashlights for the Night Crawler Maze events, 7-9 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $7 for 13 years and older, $5 for ages 5-12.

A full schedule of events is available at www.corleyranch.com

Haunted Weekend Tours - Carson Valley

2011-10-10T11:41:00.001-07:00

This is the time of year when we wish that this column was two pages long. There is so much going on at the Gardnerville Museum that we can only mention a few items each week. I suppose we could just give you a long list, but what fun would that be?

Let's start this Thursday at 7 p.m. Our lecture series is offering you a glimpse of Kit Carson through the talents of Richard Clark. Mr. Clark will be doing a Chautauqua performance for us recounting the life and adventures of Kit Carson. Come join us and remember that DCHS members always get in free. Admission is $3 for all non-members.

The weekend of Oct. 21, 22 and 23 offers you several fun things to enjoy. We will be celebrating Haunted Weekend all three days. First, on Friday, Oct. 21, the Haunted Minden Ghost Walk will depart at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. from the corner of Minden Park on Esmeralda Street. Saturday, the Haunted Gardnerville Cemetery Tour will depart every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. And the last tour, the Haunted Genoa Ghost Walk will depart at 11 a.m. from the Court House Museum. Each tour offers you a chance to meet Carson Valley old-timers and learn something of our history. And, yes, the tours are kid friendly. Admission is still only $5 per person per event.

Also the Dangberg Home Ranch will be showing its annual clothing exhibit on Oct. 22 and 23 and again on Oct. 29 and 30. Call 783-9417 for details and admission information.

That puts us at the Halloween/Nevada Day weekend. For a safe, sane Halloween, check the articles in the Record-Courier. There are lots of safe Harvest Festival and Halloween events put on around town every year.

Our Nov. 10 lecture series will feature Richard Potashin and Nancy Hadlock speaking on Basque culture, the history of aspen tree carvings and sheepherding. Both have been researching Basque culture and will provide an informative evening of information. The lecture will start at 7 p.m. and admission, as always, is free for DCHS members, $3 for non-members.

How long has it been since you spent an evening of fun playing Bingo? Come join us on Friday, Nov. 11, at St. Gall Catholic Church for a grand time. The Knights of Columbus are hosting this fundraiser for DCHS. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with games starting at 7 p.m. Complementary coffee and popcorn will be offered. Nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, wine, bottled water, and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Because of Nevada gaming regulations, no one under the age of 21 can be admitted. Call 782-2555 for additional information.

Next is December and our annual Holiday Gala, but we're out of column space. We can tell you that there will be photos with Santa, a Cookie Walk, beautifully decorated trees, gingerbread houses, contests, and more. Check back next week for more details.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Visit our website at www.historicnevada.org. Remember, DCHS and its two museums, the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville and the Courthouse Museum in Genoa, do not receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.