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Villanueva conquers immigration, English Language Learning, GED to earn business degree at WNC

Jeff Munson — Tue, 21 May 2024 00:03:20 +0000

Western Nevada College

When Marie Villanueva emigrated to the United States from Mexico City 20 years ago, she left behind her whole world: Family, friends, a career and cultural traditions.

She was facing many uncertainties and concerns as a teenager. But Villanueva overcame these long odds to earn a GED and pursue professional goals in finance.

On Monday, Villanueva achieved another one of her goals as she graduated from Western Nevada College with an Associate degree in General Business.

“This Monday’s ceremony will be memorable because I will be closing a cycle in my life full of good memories and with the sensation of accomplishing something for me and my family as the first generation going to college and opening the doors for our future generations,” she said prior to the ceremony.

Western Nevada College celebrated the achievements of its 2023-24 graduates Monday in Carson City, with a second ceremony planned for Thursday, May 23 in Fallon. Go here for the full list of graduates.

To adjust and prosper in her new country, she quickly realized the need to learn English. She enrolled in English Second Language classes at Incline High School and one of her teachers helped her prepare for the GED. Villanueva took the exam in 2009 at Western Nevada College after receiving some training from the college’s adult education program (now called ACCEL).

“Maria’s perseverance in achieving her dreams, even as a mother and business owner, is truly remarkable,” said Angela Holt, director of College and Career Readiness at WNC. “Her success highlights the importance of education, community support and mentorship as pathways to success. Her story is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication and hard work. We are proud of Maria and honored by the opportunity to support her along the way. On behalf of the entire team at ACCEL, congratulations, Maria!”

She passed the exam late in 2009 and was touched and inspired by the ceremony that WNC provided its adult education grads.

“I attended the ceremony that they did in May 2010 and that was very motivational,” Villanueva said.

To make ends meet, she started a house-cleaning company. But her passion was in finance and in 2013 began working in banking, assisting business owners with their financial goals and needs.

Villanueva didn’t forget how WNC helped her pass the GED, and in 2013 she returned to Western to begin the long journey of earning her business degree. Fortunately, she met Lupe Ramirez on her first day, WNC’s Latino Leadership Academy creator and now a member of WNC Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

“I was super nervous because my English wasn’t good at all, but that day I found an angel in my path,” Villanueva recalled. “She took the time to show me what I needed to do and she talked to me in a very inspirational way.”
At the time, because of her immigration status, she needed to pay for her tuition as a foreign student.

“But she shared with me all the benefits of studying and applying for scholarships,” Villanueva said. “Finding somebody who not only speaks the same language but understands you as an immigrant is like gaining the lottery. That day I completed my enrollment.”

As a mother to two daughters, Villanueva couldn’t dedicate herself to being a full-time student, so her degree has been a long time coming.

“My advice for other students is that it doesn't matter how many credits you can do every semester, but PLEASE do not stop; every class counts and please do not be scared of language barriers because those are only in our mind,” she said.

Villanueva currently works for Washoe County School District in the Special Education Operations Department.

“I am so proud of her for believing in herself and for not letting the language barrier stop her from reaching her educational goal,” Ramirez said. “Her story will make an impact in other people's lives. I love that she's extending her hand to help others reach their own potential!”

Carson City weekend arrests: Woman booked after loaded handgun found in backpack within reach of children

Jeff Munson — Mon, 20 May 2024 23:02:25 +0000

A 32-year-old woman was arrested Sunday for suspicion of possessing a firearm by a prohibited person, child endangerment and other alleged offenses, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

Stephanie Leon-Castillo was taken into custody at 2:14 p.m. following an investigation. She was also booked for misdemeanor Department of Alternative Sentencing violation, driving with a revoked license, suspended registration and no proof of insurance.

During the investigation following a traffic stop for suspended license plate, the vehicle was occupied by the woman driving, a passenger and three children in the back seat.

The investigating officer could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle. The woman agreed to a consent to search the vehicle. Inside, located in a green backpack behind the driver's seat, was a Black Taurus G2C handgun with a loaded magazine (12 hollow point rounds) inside the handgun and 2.17 grams of marijuana inside a red grinder jar.

The officer asked the woman who the firearm belongs to. The male passenger stated it was his wife's and the night before they must have forgotten it in the vehicle, the report states. The firearm was behind the driver seat, within arms reach of the children, the report states. Also during the search deputies found two marijuana pipes, multiple packages from marijuana clubs, including receipts.

The woman stated she smokes inside the car and not in the house due to the children and stated she uses cannabis oil pens that she keeps on her person Due to suspected cannabis addiction, being in possession of a firearm with the controlled substance while being suspected of addiction and that the loaded firearm was in a backpack within arms reach of the children causing child endangerment, the woman was arrested and placed into custody.

She was booked for owning/possessing of a firearm by a prohibited person addicted to a controlled substance, child endangerment, driving on a revoked license, suspended registration, no proof of insurance and a department of alternative sentencing violation.

The children were safely released to an adult. Bail: $5,000 plus $1,000 cash for the DAS violation.

In other arrests:
— A Carson City woman, Katherine Cameron, was arrested Sunday, 8:21 a.m. for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail: $2,500.

— A 49-year-old Carson City man, Joshua Canton, was arrested early Monday for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail: $2,500.

— A 36-year-old man was arrested Saturday for a misdemeanor outside agency warrant. Bail: $1,105 cash.

— A 26-year-old Carson City man, Anthony Sandoval, was arrested Saturday for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and trespass. Bail: $2,500.

— A 28-year-old woman was arrested Friday for suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery. The woman allegedly threw a phone at her boyfriend, slapped him in the face and scratched his arms. The woman admitted to throwing her phone and scratching his arms and putting her hand in his face. She was determined to be the primary aggressor and taken into custody. Bail: $3,000.

— A 33-year-old Carson City man was arrested Friday for suspicion of DUI and improper turn. Bail: $1,137.

— A 42-year-old woman, Tamara Milian, was arrested Friday for felony suspicion of preventing, dissuading a victim to report a crime and misdemeanor domestic battery. Bail: $5,000.

— All information for the crime log (unless otherwise noted) comes from the arrest reports supplied by the Carson City Sheriff's Office, and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The policy of Carson Now is to name anyone who is arrested for a felony offense.

Capital City Community Band to perform free 'You Asked For It' concert May 29 at CHS gym

Mon, 20 May 2024 22:33:20 +0000

Capital City Community Band

The Capital City Community Band will present a “You Asked For It” concert on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 7 p.m. in the Carson High School gym.

This concert will present compositions requested by our Friends Of The Band members such as “Marchissmo,”“Children’s Prayer,” “Raiders Of The Lost Ark,” and "A Copland Tribute,” to name a few.

This is a great way to spend time with your family and be entertained for the right prices free! The concert is open to the public.

Please support Carson City’s local musicians by attending this concert. The band always cheerfully accepts donations. Become a “Friend of the Band” and you, too, can request a selection for the band to play.

The Capital City Community Band has been providing free concerts for Carson City residents and the surrounding areas since its founding by Richard Doede in 1979. The band is currently under the direction of Nick Jacques. New members are always welcome.

Thursday Info Night in Dayton on youth vaping and how to prevent it

Mon, 20 May 2024 21:15:50 +0000

By Quest Lakes

Dayton, Nevada - Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties (HCC) will offer a free information night for parents and other community members on the health risks of youth vaping, strategies for preventing vaping and ways to support youth in leading healthy lives.

The event is at the Dayton Branch Library, 321 Old Dayton Valley Road on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 6pm to 7pm. Light refreshments will be available.

The presentation is based on the evidence-based nicotine vaping prevention program called CATCH My Breath that HCC is now offering to schools. CATCH My Breath was developed at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. The program has a proven track record of reducing the likelihood of vaping by students in 5th - 12th grades.

Why is information about vaping (E-cigarettes) needed? E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth and are strongly associated with the use of other tobacco products. The majority of E-cigarettes, including flavored ones, contain nicotine, an addictive substance which has negative effects on the developing brain.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Patty at HCC at (775) 508-3025.

Reflecting on a year of achievement with Capitol FFA at 2024 state convention

Mon, 20 May 2024 21:00:00 +0000

By Molly Whatford

This year 17 students attended the state FFA Convention and participated in 7 different contests. One of Carson High School's own students, Melanie Burrett, was elected the 2024-25 Nevada State Reporter. Meanwhile, Maximillian Bushey was placed on one the Nom Com team for the State Office during the convention.

The Soils team won as the 1st High Team and went on to compete in nationals this past month.

The Nursery and Landscape Team: Maximillian Bushey, Lauren Davis, Eddy Fonseca-Loyola, and Arissa Hughey won state and are on their way to nationals!

— 1st High Individual-Arissa Hughey
— 2nd High Individual-Maximillian Bushey
— 4th High Individual-Eddy Fonseca-Loyola

The Meats Evaluation and Technology left their contest with 5th in the State. The Horse Evaluation team left with Alex Nerska placing 6th individually in the State.

New State Officers for the 2024-2025 Season:
The new State officers for the Capitol FFA Chapter have been picked! The new officers are as follows:
President - Maximillian Bushey
1st Vice President - Gloria Dooley
2nd Vice President - Lauren Davis
Secretary - Jailey Tijerina
Student Advisor - Alex Nerska
Treasurer - Tanner McCune
Reporter - Molly Whatford
Sentinel - Alex Parker
Historian- Carly Croley

A Conversation with Frank Joe, Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum happening Tuesday at Carson City Senior Center

Mon, 20 May 2024 20:06:18 +0000

By Betts Markle

The Carson City Senior Center continues its monthly Tuesday Conversations. The Tuesday, May 21 talk will feature Frank Joe, an alumni of the Stewart Indian School.

Mr. Joe attended the school when he was ten years old, during the 1950-1951 school year. He is a citizen of the Te-Moak Bank of the Western Shoshone and volunteers at the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum. About the Museum: The mission of the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum is to tell the stories of the thousands of American Indian children from western tribes who were educated at Stewart.

The talk begins at 12:30 p.m. See flyer for more information. Also click here for more information. https://stewartindianschool.com/.

Pine Nuts: Mark Twain Days and strengthening Community Connections with conversation

Jeff Munson — Mon, 20 May 2024 20:00:17 +0000

By McAvoy Layne

Mark Twain Days (Year Two) was yet another triumph, particularly the group photo, where every kid and her grandmother sported humongous mustachios. I can’t wait to see the print. My personal favorite event was, “Connections.” A hundred folks gathered together upstairs in the Brewery Arts Center to share personal connections that improved their lives.

This is a unique, and much needed concept in our digitized-AI world. Just imagine a hundred strangers, without phones, focusing on relationship-building to strengthen community bonds. And it’s working! Not just that, but “Connections” combats social isolation, and overcomes social divisions. (Cymbal crash please.)

This throwback model is the brainchild of Don Kuhl, who champions the fact that positive relationships are a foremost factor in living longer, healthier and happier lives. Yes, this at a time when so many social dynamics are pushing us toward isolation, loneliness and dissension.

Don chose the most capable Debra Soul to spearhead this worthy endeavor, the same Debra Soule who gave us our Inaugural Mark Twain Days. Once again, Debra is pushing forward a noble idea and making a success of it.

To give you a specific example of the workings of “Connections,” a gentleman stood and presented an ode to mothers that was ever so touching. In closing, he bent down on one knee to emphasize his respect. Well, this crusty old Marine doesn’t tear up easily, but I think I did.

If “Connections” does not strengthen the fabric of a community, I don’t know what will. Gatherings are at the Brewery Arts Center on the third Thursday of each month, and their website is https://www.connectionscentral.org/.

For my small part in the Connections gathering during Mark Twain Days, I shared the fact that were it not for Sam Clemens’s loving wife, we would not be hosting Mark Twain Days, or even talking about Mark Twain. Olivia wanted Sam to be an American writer, more than the sagebrush humorist he was while living in Carson City and Virginia City.

She achieved that lofty goal by encouraging Sam to employ his wit like a telescope, to amplify our attentions on serious subjects, like slavery. So thanks to Livy, we have the wonderful satire Sam left for us to treasure in his Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Person to person and eye to eye contact is more important to our wellbeing than we have ever known before, and I for one, congratulate Don and Debra for highlighting this reality, and providing a platform to test it, and prove that it works.

If we can discover a sense of belonging and relevance in our lives through “Connections,” well, who would ever need booze or drugs again.

I congratulate Don and Debra for their selfless dedication to this nation healing construct. Once “Connections” makes its way across this great land of ours, well, to cite just one upshot, November will look less ominous.
I hope you will join me in wishing Don & Debra every success in this noble endeavor called, “Connections.”

— For more than 35 years, in over 4,000 performances, columnist and Chautauquan McAvoy Layne has been dedicated to preserving the wit and wisdom of “The Wild Humorist of the Pacific Slope,” Mark Twain. As Layne puts it: “It’s like being a Monday through Friday preacher, whose sermon, though not reverently pious, is fervently American." Go here for the spoken word version of this and other columns.

Carson City's Nashville Social Club announces Summer Residency encore: Most Wanted! A Country Rock Burlesque Show returns for double weekend run

Mon, 20 May 2024 19:34:26 +0000

By Tyler Phillips

Northern Nevada, get ready to experience an evening of unparalleled entertainment as Carson City’s premier live music venue and restaurant, Nashville Social Club brings the electrifying, mega hit Most Wanted!

A Country Rock Burlesque Show back by popular demand to The Swan Music Hall stage this June for six stellar shows debuting on Thursday, June 6th at 7:30pm. Shows will run two weekends in a row with week one shows on Thursday, June 6th, Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th. The final set of performances will debut Father's Day weekend from Thursday, June 13th, Friday, June 14th and Saturday, June 15th at 7:30pm. Tickets are available now for all six shows!

Since its debut last year, "Most Wanted!" has been leaving sold-out crowds spellbound at the Nashville Social Club, delivering an evening packed with endless laughter and standing ovations. This revamped version of last year's hit residency promises to ignite the stage with the same comedic flair, enticing choreography, and specialty acts that had audiences roaring with laughter and applauding wildly. But that's not all – we're bringing you brand new acts and fresh dances to keep the excitement alive for the double weekend event.

Presented by the esteemed Red Hot Productions and Jewel Entertainment, producer and choreographer Julie Renn has once again curated this production to ensure a jaw-dropping, rollicking evening at The Swan Music Hall. With over 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Renn's commitment to delivering powerful entertainment with a twist shines through in this sizzling act, returning for a second year in a row at the premier venue and restaurant.

Known for more than just their amazing live music and entertainment, NSC offers world-class cuisine and a spectacular cocktail lounge with southern offerings like their divine Shrimp ‘N Grits and Best of Carson City nominated Bloody Mary cocktail. Before the entertainers hit the Swan Music Hall stage, attendees are invited to indulge in a delicious pre-show dinner before the show by calling to secure their reservations. Patrons can book reservations by calling (775) 515-0020.

Whether you're gathering your friends for a night out, planning a romantic date night, or treating yourself to a solo self-care night, Most Wanted! promises thrilling moves, captivating artistry, and playful comedy. Tickets for “Most Wanted! A Country Rock Burlesque Show” on June 6th-8th and June 13th-14th are available now. Visit www.thenashvilleclub.com for more information.

About Nashville Social Club Carson City:
Located at 1105 S Carson St, in the heart of Carson City, NV, Nashville Social Club (NSC) is an award-winning restaurant, concert and events venue, and lounge. The restaurant’s menu features Nashville-inspired southern specialties from fried green tomatoes to shrimp and grits to ‘Lovin’ From the Oven’ dreamy desserts. NSC has given Carson City a totally new concept in dining, drinking, dancing, and entertainment. The Swan Music Hall at NSC features national touring artists performing in an intimate concert setting with several shows every month. Visitors to NSC can also tour the Wander Hall, a permanent rock-hall-themed exhibit featuring memorabilia from co-owner John Procaccini’s decades in the music industry, including priceless items from The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, and Frank Sinatra. Nashville Social Club is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Carson City Leisure Hour Club’s 2024-25 officers inducted

Mon, 20 May 2024 18:40:00 +0000

Dan Neverett

Carson City’s oldest continuously meeting social organization, the Leisure Hour Club, recently installed new officers for the 2024-25 year.

Sworn in during the organization’s May meeting by past president Debbie Lane were: 1st Vice President/Tours – Gary Yoakum, 2nd Vice President/Programs – Gene Munnings, Shelly Harmon - Treasurer, Dan Neverett – Secretary, and Barbara Cavanagh as Director-at-large. President Ed Schnabel will be sworn in at the club’s September meeting.

In addition, the following appointments for the group’s various chair positions were announced: Friendship – Carol Pitts, Reservations – Mary Lee, Raffle – Pauline Ebersold, Membership – Paula Billman, and Newsletter – Dan Neverett.

The Leisure Hour Club was established in September of 1896 and will begin to celebrate its 128th year with its first dinner meeting on Thursday, September 19. The organization is focused on its goal of promoting knowledge on important issues, science, music and literature. Its motto of "Let knowledge grow from more to more" comes from Tennyson’s poem In Memoriam.

Carson City deputies cite foreign driver for failure to yield and maintain lanes following brief pursuit

Jeff Munson — Mon, 20 May 2024 17:50:59 +0000

UPDATE 12:57PM: A foreign national was cited for failing to maintain lanes and failure to yield, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office sergeant. The driver, who is from out of the country, led officers on a slow-speed pursuit earlier Monday morning.
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A brief vehicle pursuit Monday morning where the driver of a white Kia failed to yield to Carson City Sheriff's Office deputies ended with a felony traffic stop near the intersection of William and Roop Street. The male driver was detained and is being questioned.

The pursuit began at around 10:30 a.m. where a Carson City Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to a stop the vehicle for driving into other lanes of traffic. The vehicle did not stop for several minutes as it was being pursued by the deputy who had activated their light and siren. Other deputies followed in the slow speed pursuit where traffic was light.

CCSO deputies were searching the vehicle and questioning the driver. No injuries were reported. The matter remains under investigation. We will update when more information becomes available.