The new executive director of the Brewery Arts Center talks about the organization's fundraising efforts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxsnZZUyNwY

The liberal blogs are all in a tizzy about how President Barack Obama "caved" to Republicans, agreeing to extend the Bush tax cuts for everyone, not just those making under $250,000 a year as he said he wanted.

Some are saying that Obama has been seriously damaged by this episode, looking weak and handing the narrative and momentum to the GOP, and that he might have a tough time getting reelected in 2012.

Marine Sgt. Justin Block and Santa load toy barrels Friday morning, Dec. 17, 2010, as part of the Toys for Tots toy drive at the Capitol in Carson City, Nev. Workers at more than a dozen state agencies participated in the 8th annual toy drive coordinated by the Capitol Police.

Toys for Tots Coordinator Joyce Buckingham says they'll be helping more than 7,000 kids in Carson, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties and that more toys and donations are still needed. For more information, go to www.ToysForTots.org and choose the Carson City link.
Photo by Cathleen Allison/NevadaPhotoSource.com

To view more of Allison's photographs click here.

First it was the snow, next the melt-off and now the wind.
A high wind warning remains in effect today through the Carson City, Carson Valley and Lyon County regions until 4 this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Reno and Carsonweather.com.
Winds will continue to increase through this morning with the strongest from mid-morning through early this afternoon. The highest wind gust reported so far of the system was 48 mph at 10:53 a.m., according to carsonweather.com.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – The chairman of a panel created by the Legislature to assess Nevada’s long-term future had some bleak words today for lawmakers unless action is taken to develop a skilled workforce and improve public education.

Spin-outs, fender-benders and icy streets have kept Carson City law officers, fire and rescue and city road crews busy today as the first wave of a wet winter storm has arrived.

The most recent accident tonight appears to be the most serious. It was reported at 8:10 p.m. and involves three vehicles that were in an apparent head-on collision in the area of Dump Hill in Carson City. Fire and rescue crews, paramedics, the Nevada Highway Patrol and Carson City sheriff's deputies have responded.

As a part of an ongoing initiative to support area non-profits, the Lake Tahoe Gaming Alliance and the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority donated $20,000 among four charities, Friday, Dec. 3 at Lakeside Inn & Casino.

Christmas Cheer received $10,000; Tahoe Youth and Family Services $5,000; South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center $3,000 and the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe $2,000.

A strong winter storm will push into the Carson City and Lake Tahoe region today bringing rain to the valley and several feet of snow to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra though at least Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Reno and Carsonweather.com.

Carson City Firefighters will be at the WalMart on College Parkway at 9 a.m. Friday morning to shop for toys for needy children. The firefighters are donating $4,000 to buy the toys, which will be distributed to local children through the Salvation Army. Those who show up on Friday can help with the shopping or make donations. For more information, call Bob Schreihans at (775) 741-9105.

By Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Matt Griffin is leaving his post next month to return to private law practice with the Capitol Company, Secretary of State Ross Miller said today.
Miller appointed Griffin as his elections deputy when he took office in January 2007.

Work has started to change Doppelganger’s Pub into the High Sierra Brewing Company in Carson City. The signs have been going up and the facade painted over the last couple of weeks. A couple of months ago this was supposed to be changing into the Knee Deep Brewing Company, but the deal with Knee Deep in Reno fell through, so now it’s just going to be known as High Sierra. This is the same owner, Jim Phalan, as the Firkin and Fox Pub just down the street, so I think we’ll see a bit of stability come to this location now. Just like he stopped the revolving door of restaurants at the St. Charles, he should be able to do the same thing to the Lucky Spur.
Go to aroundcarson.com to see more photos.

Geothermal Development Associates of Reno received the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Certificate today.

The award recognizes businesses that have achieved significant success in the global marketplace and have also benefited from the programs and assistance of the International Trade Administration’s U.S. Commercial Service. Chuck Alvey, president/CEO for the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada made the presentation.

The Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau was awarded $14,000 in grants last week from the Nevada Commission on Tourism for three different marketing efforts, providing support for the destination’s Divine Nine Golf Co-operative, its own website and video production and advertising materials for the Virginia & Truckee Railway.

Greater Nevada Credit Union’s scholarship program was recently named one of the “Five Best Scholarships for Nevada Residents” by NewsMax, a national news media organization.

It was a party made with plenty of good cheer, chili, hot cider and lots of ice skating as the Carson City Chamber of Commerce rang in the Christmas spirit tonight with its annual holiday party at Arlington Square Ice Rink.
The party featured a medley of holiday songs performed by the Carson High Capital Stars. Festivities inside the heated pavilion included great conversation among chamber members and city, state and school representatives, hot food, cocoa and cider compliments of Grandma Hattie's and cookies compliments of the Carson Nugget.

On Friday, Dec. 17th Fox and Hound will host Moment Skis and Life More Natural for the premiere of Level 1’s Eye Trip, a worldwide documentation of ski action as you’ve never seen it presented before. Skiing’s counterculture continues to buck the trends of what’s come before them. In addition, the night serves as a benefit for LMN’s Tahoe to Tanzania solar project for Reno/Tahoe youth. Time to get hyped for the season in South Lake Tahoe!

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – The panel that oversees Nevada’s public employee retirement system was told today it would cost about $1.2 billion over the next two years to change from the current defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan for new state and local government workers.

The Reno-Tahoe-Truckee community has six opportunities this December to enjoy TOCCATA’s wonderful tradition of producing selections from "Handel's Messiah" in a Holiday Concert, including a performance in Carson City on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
The Carson City performance will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center. The Carson City concert features the 60-voice Carson High School Concert Choir, alumni and Carson soloists, and will be a benefit for the high school choir’s future tour presentations.

Other performances are:

The Nevada State Musum's Underground Mine Exhibit will be the subject of the December History Lecture series. This illustrated program will be presented by Curator of History, Bob Nylen.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of the exhibit on Nevada Day, Oct 31, 1950. You will have the opportunity to see and explore through pictures, one of the finest mine replicas in the world. The program will be at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson Street beginning at 10:30 am. (775) 841-4111.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons has appointed Sue Lowden to the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners. Lowden has lived and worked in Nevada for more than 30 years. She is a former Nevada state senator who recently ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

A Lake Tahoe area public-private energy organization and the U.S. Energy Department have teamed up to make renewable energy more commercially available.

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Incline Village-based Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization today announced their collaboration to accelerate the commercialization of a clean technology innovation owned and developed by the Laboratory.

CARSON CITY – Secretary of State Ross Miller today asked the state Board of Examiners to adopt a new rule requiring private employers who are awarded state contracts to use the federal E-Verify® program to ensure that only eligible workers are hired at their companies.
Miller asked that the board take up the issue at its next meeting in January.

RENO, Nev. — Gary Blomquist, a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, has won the Entomological Society of America’s prestigious Recognition Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology. He was honored at the Society’s annual meeting in San Diego Sunday.

A Carson City man faces several felony charges including methamphetamine trafficking after being stopped by the Nevada Highway Patrol on Sunday.

Clint G. Malone, 27, is being held at the Washoe County Jail and faces charges of meth trafficking, driving under the influence, speeding, driving on a suspended driver's license and two misdemeanor traffic-related failure to appear warrants. The bail amount was set at $22,054.