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Carson High School Navy JROTC Visits San Francisco for Fleet Week

Jeff Munson — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 16:16:12 +0000

Carson City School District

The Navy JROTC cadets from Carson High School recently embarked on an unforgettable trip to San Francisco to participate in the city's Fleet Week celebration. The annual event provides an opportunity for the public to interact with the men and women of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, and this year, the Carson cadets were front and center.

One of the highlights of their visit was a tour of the USS Somerset (LPD-25), an amphibious transport dock ship. Cadets had the opportunity to explore the vessel, learn about its operations and speak with the crew, gaining insights into the ship's role in amphibious warfare and humanitarian missions.

The group also visited the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, where they toured the USS Pampanito (SS-383), a World War II-era submarine. Walking through the tight corridors of the submarine, the cadets gained a deep appreciation for the sailors who served aboard during wartime, experiencing firsthand the challenges of submarine life.

Adding to the excitement of the trip, the cadets had the chance to witness the Blue Angels practicing their awe-inspiring aerial maneuvers. The precision and skill of the pilots captivated everyone, making the Fleet Week experience even more memorable.

A special highlight was a visit from Brigadier General Robert Paoletti, the Director of Staff for the California National Guard, who took time to speak with the cadets. His insights into leadership and service left a lasting impression on the group, inspiring many of the young students as they consider future careers in the military.

Fleet Week was an enriching experience for Carson High School's Navy JROTC. The cadets were exposed to hands-on learning opportunities, historical insight and a deeper connection to the Navy’s proud traditions, making it a truly unforgettable journey.

Carson City emergency crews respond to crash involving multiple vehicles at Stewart and 5th

Jeff Munson — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:38:13 +0000

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called Friday morning to a crash involving multiple vehicles in the area of South Stewart and East Fifth Street.

The crash happened at around 8:30 a.m. and involves as many as three, possibly four vehicles. Emergency crews on scene were checking for injuries. One person was being taken to the hospital via ground ambulance while three others have declined medical transport.

Traffic was shut down around the area of the crash and is being re-directed.

Motorists can expect delays.

Carson City's Catmandu introduces their Cat of the Week: Jack Sparrow

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:21:58 +0000

Linda Buchanan, Catmandu

While all the Catmandu cats are special, today’s cat of the week is magnificent. Jack Sparrow is a truly stunning cat. He is a big, long-haired blue Manx with an incredible personality that is as perfect as he is.

His fur is amazingly soft and he has big green eyes that sometimes turn to gold. His eyes will look right into your heart and soul. Just 5 years old, Jack is friendly, intelligent, playful, chill, confident, and joyful. He needs a happy home where he will have lots of opportunities for play and interaction as he is a very social guy.

He also enjoys just laying around and hanging out with his peeps. He would likely be fine with children that are school age and up.

He gets along with friendly cats but would also be fine as the only cat and the center of attention. We don’t know about dogs, but I’m guessing he could easily become friends with a cat-friendly dog. Jack would be happiest in a home where he will have room to roam and play, with lots of places where he can run and jump. Despite what he might tell you, he needs to be indoor only or have an enclosed patio (catio) where he can safely sit outside. He is much too extraordinary and handsome to be allowed outside on his own.

Once he is comfortable, he will chat with you but is not annoyingly talkative. Of course he is neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on his vaccines.

We are taking applications to find the perfect home for him. If you would like to meet him and possibly become his new forever family, please complete a pre-adoption application on our website at CatmanduCC.org/adoptions and plan to visit this weekend at Catmandu, 1829 Brown Street. Potential adopters are welcome Friday through Sunday from 11am to 4 pm. Plan to arrive no later than 3 pm so you have plenty of time to spend with him before adoptions close.

Catmandu is a cage-free cat sanctuary and rescue that is celebrating a decade of lifesaving in 2024. Since March of 2014, more than 2700 cats have passed through our doors and into a better life. Many, many other cats and kittens have been helped over the years through our various programs and efforts.

Catmandu is a non-profit organization that receives no government funding or assistance from national organizations. We rely on donations and the generosity of the community to continue our lifesaving efforts. If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please visit our website at CatmanduCC.org.

Meow means thank you.

Nevada State Museum in Carson City hosts 18th annual Dia de los Muertos this Friday and Saturday

Jeff Munson — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:15:31 +0000

Nevada State Museum

For 18 years, the Nevada State Museum in Carson City has hosted the annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration in recognition of Latin culture and its contributions to the Silver State.

This year, the Museum is collaborating with Visit Carson City, the Brewery Arts Center, the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada, Carson City School District and Western Nevada College to turn Dia de los Muertos into a community-wide festival.

“We recognize the influence of Latin culture throughout Nevada, so it only makes sense for the celebration to involve the whole community,” said Nevada State Museum Director Josh Bonde.

Dia de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) is a traditional Mexican festival combining elements of the ancient Aztec civilization with Spanish Catholicism introduced in Mexico by 16th Century missionaries. It’s a time to remember loved ones who have passed on and celebrate their lives. From sacred, deeply personal ofrendas (altars) thoughtfully decorated as memorials, to music, dancing, feasts and storytelling, Dia de los Muertos creates a strong connection between the living and the departed.

“Dia de los Muertos is a tremendous opportunity for us to really connect with the community,” said Bonde. “The event also supports our mission to promote the cultural history of Nevada.”

The ofrenda presentation is scheduled for Friday, November 1 from 5-7 p.m. in the Nevada State Museum’s Dema Guinn Concourse. Enjoy delicious Pan Dulce from Hacienda Market, Pan de Muerto from El Centro Market, and Abuelita (Mexican hot chocolate) from Juan’s Mexican Grill while viewing altars presented by community members.
The heart of the Dia de los Muertos celebration occurs Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nevada State Museum with campus-wide activities, including live music and folk dancing performances, a bilingual story time feature, crafts and face painting. King of Kings food truck will also be curbside along Curry Street serving traditional Mexican street fare.

Meanwhile, the Brewery Arts Center hosts Chocolate and Spirits Pairing. Tickets are available here. The event is Friday evening at 6 p.m., followed by a free concert Saturday night at 7 p.m. with the band, Fuerza Latina, presented, in part, by Radio Xtasis.

Admission to the Nevada State Museum, located at 600 N. Carson Street in Carson City, is free on Friday evening and all day on Saturday.

Carson City's Master Plan update highlighted with Saturday meetings in November at library

Jeff Munson — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:20:45 +0000

Event Date:

November 2, 2024 - 10:00am

Press Release

Carson City Community Development is bringing back Saturdays with the city planner at the library. Carson City is continuing to seek Community input and feedback on the City’s land use Master Plan update.

On Saturdays in November, the Carson City Community Development Department will be hosting “City Planner Day at the Library.” The events will be held on Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Carson City library, 900 North Roop Street. This is part of the City’s outreach to inform and engage with the community and seek input from all community members.

In October 2023, the City entered into a contract with Clarion Associates, a national land use consulting firm, to help the City update its Land Use Master Plan. The Land Use Master Plan isn’t just a policy document, it is a visionary roadmap. It articulates the City’s goals, objectives, and policies relative to land development.

The current plan was adopted in 2006. Since then, the freeway interchange with Highway 50 has opened, and there have been infrastructure improvements in the downtown corridor and on South Carson Street. Also, technological advancements have changed the way we shop as well as the function of the workplace. Per the State demographer, the City’s population has increased by 5.24% in the 16 years between 2006 and 2022, which is the most current certified population data available.

According to Community Development Director Hope Sullivan “We want to be accessible to everyone and let them know that the update process is happening, answer questions, and receive input. The input we have received so far has been incorporated into the draft document. Everyone is encouraged to review the draft document at envisioncarsoncity.org.

Any questions can be directed to Community Development Director Hope Sullivan at masterplan@carson.org.

2024 Jack-o-Lantern display in the 300 block of Nevada Street in Carson City

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:36:08 +0000

By Zachary Lucas

Wanting to share my 2024 Jack-o-Lantern display! 23 pumpkins on my front steps alone! Home grown at this very address and carved as part of a yearly tradition going on 3 years straight now! Takes me 2-3 days to hollow out and carve every single pumpkin but the end result is worth the effort!

Carson City Aquatic Facility Closed for Election Day

Kelsey Penrose — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 23:15:57 +0000

Event Date:

November 5, 2024 (All day)

Press Release

The Carson Aquatic Facility will be closed on Tuesday, November 5, for Election Day to limit any overcrowding and overparking on the west side of Mills Park.

In-person voting for both early voting and on Election Day will take place at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St. There will be an additional polling place at the Stewart Colony Wellness Center and Gym, located at 465 Clear Creek Ave. The Stewart Colony location will also have a mail drop box on Election Day.

For additional information or questions, please contact mfreeman@carson.org or 775-283-7351. For more information on the election, please visit carson.org/elections.

Ray Bonneville Returns to Silver City for the Roots Music Masters Series

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:32:13 +0000

Evangeline Elston

Legendary Ranconteur Ray Bonneville will make a rare northern Nevada appearance for the acclaimed Roots Music Masters Series in Silver City. The Silver City Preservation Society, Evangeline Presents and Yellow Truck Productions are bringing Juno award winning Americana/blues artist Ray Bonneville to town for a show on Friday, November 15.

WHERE: Silver City Schoolhouse, 385 High Street, Silver City, NV

WHEN: Friday, November 15 - Doors at 6:00 pm, show at 7:00 pm

HOW: $25 suggested donation. No one will be turned away.

PLEASE RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/557237723522406 Text: 530-632-3798

Canadian born, and now living in Austin, Ray has shared the bill with blues heavyweights Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Dr. John, J.J. Cale, and Robert Cray. Accompanying Bonneville will be Oklahoma pianist Richie Lawrence.

Bonneville has been called “a poet of the demimonde” with a style that sometimes draws comparisons to JJ Cale and Daniel Lanois. His music is blues-influenced, New Orleans-inspired, and has earned him the apt description of “song and groove man.” His original songs are gritty narratives inspired by a lifetime of hard-won knowledge set against his steely, soulful guitar and harmonica playing, accented by stirring foot percussion.

Bonneville is a winner and three-time nominee of Canada’s coveted Juno award, and in 2012 won the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge Award. In addition to his own work, Bonneville has performed on albums by Mary Gauthier, Gurf Morlix, Eliza Gilkyson, Ray Wylie Hubbard and other well-known Americana/Roots artists. He shares songwriting credits with Tim O’Brien, Phil Roy and Morlix, among others.

Oklahoman Richie Lawrence was described by Maverick Magazine, “A talent like no other on the piano,” and Rootsville Music Review said, “music of a rare beauty and simplicity revolves around the impressive piano playing of Richie...” Lawrence will add his piano and accordion interpretations to Bonneville’s song and groove, making for a unique and exquisite Americana performance.

More about the artist at www.raybonneville.com

To watch the video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAggfw5q_s0

What this election means for the Douglas County School District — and its chaotic board

Kelsey Penrose — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 20:39:00 +0000

by Kelsey Penrose

The Douglas County School Board has made a number of headlines both regionally and nationally since the 2022 election leading to a new majority taking hold.

This new majority, composed of Trustees Susan Jansen, David Burns, Kathleen Dickerson and incumbent Doug Englekirk is staunchly and vocally alt-right. They began planning their take over long before the first day at the dais, as shown by text messages located during a contentious public records request.

They were very clear with what they wanted their first actions to be: create a policy banning transgender students from engaging with sports within the district, and hire Joey Gilbert as the board’s new attorney. This led to a number of complaints and issues on its own, as Gilbert has no background in educational law, and the previous board attorney advised the board not to pursue a transgender sports ban as they would inevitably be sued.

Following the previous counsel’s advice, they quickly fired that law firm, which had served the district for decades, and were successful in hiring Gilbert.

Gilbert told the board he would create an anti-transgender policy and would fight it in court on behalf of the district if they were sued.

That policy never came to fruition.

He has since racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills to the district, which could even amount to half a million by the end of this year, with over $100,000 billed during the first two months alone. The district’s yearly budget for legal counsel was only $160,000 total at the time.

While the anti-transgender policy has not happened, what did happen since the 2022 election was:

An unsuccessful attempt at firing the long-standing superintendent, who later resigned;
The board majority, through Gilbert, refused to hand over cell phones and computers for a public record’s request and were later sued;
The board asked for a settlement over that case, and then later rejected it;
The board gave all public records requests to Gilbert instead of the superintendent. This is important because records requests were included in the superintendent’s workload, while Gilbert now charges $325 per hour to review them;
The board initiated a new, possibly illegal records request fee for the public at Gilbert’s request;
The board paid Gilbert to attend a meeting during which he scrolled Twitter and refused to answer legal questions from the board;
The board voted to hire a new superintendent who had a long history of mismanagement and criminal behavior and lied on his application;
During different meetings, Trustee Jansen called members of the public a “piece of shit” and “retarded” during public meetings;
The board attempted to withdraw from the Nevada Association of School Boards;
The in-fighting of the board led to one trustee resigning;
and much more.

In the lawsuit, it was revealed that the trustees were being coached and directed on how to vote by four outside individuals:

Nick Maier, who has spent nearly $80,000 to date on backing candidates throughout the region;
Virginia (Ginny) Starrett
Lynn Muzzy
Jan Muzzy

While Trustee Englekirk has mostly sided with the the board majority, only going against them on a few items such as choosing not to fire then-superintendent Keith Lewis, recovered conversations between the new board members and the four outside individuals discussed the fact that they should "not trust him," as he had given Lewis a positive yearly review.

Now, it seems with the running of candidate Antoinette Marie Casselberry, these individuals have found a new candidate to back. Maier has already donated thousands to Casselberry, but Englekirk is absent from his list of beneficiaries despite being challenged by Erinn Miller, who is running to unseat Englekirk for District 3 within Lake Tahoe.

So far, Casselberry has brought in a whopping $16,672 in donations, with Maier at the top of her list of donors, and Jan Muzzy’s name can also be found on her list.

Casselberry is running against Melinda Gneiting for Linda Gilkerson’s seat, who together with Trustee Carey Kangas, has been consistently outspoken against the board majority since its 2022 inception.

While Englekirk may not have the backing of these four behind-the-scenes individuals, the Douglas County Republican Central Committee did endorse Englekirk as well as Casselberry for the positions, similarly to their endorsement of Burns, Jansen and Dickerson in 2022.

The board seats are meant to be non-partisan, and this endorsement breaks from tradition of keeping party politics out of the non-partisan campaigns.

Meanwhile, candidates Miller (District 3) and Melinda Gneiting (District 5) are being backed by We Deserve a Better Board, a group that came into existence after contentions with the new board majority began to rise in 2022.

The board majority has often called the group “Marxist” and “liberal” despite the majority of its members also being registered Republicans. All of the board candidates the group is endorsing are described as “conservative Republicans.”

The new candidates

Erinn Miller (District 3) is a resident of Lake Tahoe with three children enrolled in the district and is running against incumbent Englekirk. She serves as a parent representative on the district’s Family Life committee, and has served on a number of other district committees. She and her husband are involved with Douglas Pop Warner, and has spoken against the actions of the board majority a number of times, stating that Gilbert’s law firm has overcharged the district, overreached in its duties, and failed to represent the district in an effective manner. She has said she is concerned with the lack of civility and decorum displayed by the board majority during the meetings, and hopes to represent the needs of all schools, especially lake schools with the issue of declining enrollment. You can read more about her on We Deserve a Better Board.

Melinda Gneiting (District 5) is a 24-year resident of Douglas County with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work who has had four children enrolled in the district, two of whom have since graduated. She, too, said she is concerned with the spending of the current board and the charges Gilbert’s firm has continued to rack up. She wants to see a law firm that is qualified to work in education replace Gilbert’s firm. She said she wishes to see “balance and normalcy” return to the district. Gneiting said she is concerned with special needs students, parents’ rights, fiscal responsibility, building positive relationships, and not allowing “boys to compete in girls sports.” You can read more about Gneiting on her website.

Antoinette Casselberry (District 5) is running against Gneiting, and moved to Douglas County in 2020 from Santa Cruz, Calif. She attended private Catholic schools through college, before graduating and moving into the dental field. She holds a degree in Dental Hygiene from Loyola Dental School and a BS in Health from the University of St. Francis. She is a member of the Elks Tahoe/Douglas Lodge and is on the advisory board of the Douglas County Community and Senior Center. She has served as a volunteer assistant coach for after school programs for the Santa Cruz Track Club, raised money to stop child trafficking in Madagascar through running marathons, and served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for three years in Santa Cruz.

Casselberry said she wants to help DCSD regain the status as the best school district in the state, and noted that academic scores have been declining over the past ten years. She said that she will be a “moderating force,” bringing “balance and respectful dialogue” to the board. One of her goals is to keep transgender students out of sports, stating “no boys in girl’s bathrooms or girl’s locker rooms. Protect Girl’s sports.” She said she also wants to bring back the DARE program. You can read more about Casselberry on her website.

Yvonne Wagstaff will continue to hold her appointed seat as she is running unopposed.

Trustee Carey Kangas is not on the ballot, and his seat will go to Markus Zinke, who is also running unopposed.

Marcus Zinke is a district parent and a co-founder of the Parents Group, which seeks to bridge a gap between the school board and parents. He spoke with the Record Courier in March 2023 after the Parents Group was formed. During that interview, Zinke said the Parents Group was formed because often are unable to attend school board meetings, which are held on Tuesdays at 4 p.m., and frequently don’t even know what the board is voting on.

Co-founder Stephanie Christensen told the RC that many of the board members have never had students attend the district, which means they may not have a parents perspective on some of the issues. Parents were able to review the agendas and provide surveys to the group, who then presents them to the school board as a whole. However, the group does not appear to have been active since 2023.

What the election means

On cursory searches for Zinke, not much is known about his stance on the current board handlings. However, he is not backed by Maier the other four behind-the-scenes individuals dictating their desires to the board majority. Although, since he is running unopposed, he has not logged any donations during his candidacy, and has not been endorsed by either the he Douglas County Republican Central Committee, nor the We Deserve a Better Board group.

Linda Gilkerson and Carey Kangas were the most outspoken members of the board against the majority, who will both be leaving in January following the election. If Casselberry is able to win Gilkerson’s seat, the board could tip into a supermajority of Maier-backed members and Englekirk.

However, if Gneiting is able to win the seat, and Miller is able to unseat Englekirk, a super-majority would not be on the table, unless Zinke were to join forces with the current board majority. He has not been endorsed by the Douglas County Republican Central Committee, nor the We Deserve a Better Board group.

If Gneiting and Miller are able to gain their seats, it will all come down to which way Zinke falls: towards the current majority, or a newly formed majority.

Gneiting and Miller have made it clear that, if elected, they intend to seek new counsel for the district and relieve Gilbert of his position. The reasons they give for this is the fact that the district has paid out $400,000 to his firm in just one year, and that he has no background in educational law.

If Zinke sides with the current majority, or if Casselberry and Englekirk retain their seats, then the board will continue as it has since its 2022 inception: four members essentially making all the decisions, with Englekirk going rogue every once in a while, and three board members opposing nearly every item brought by the board majority.

So far, Douglas County has shown up for this election more than any other Nevada county. Currently, 21,205 ballot have been cast during early voting, which is 51% of all active registered voters in the county.

Election night is Nov. 5. Only time will tell what the future of the board, and the Douglas County School District, holds.

Friends To All Celebrates 25 Years 'Touching Hearts with a Visit' in the Nevada Day Parade 2024

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:15:57 +0000

By Friends To All, Inc. a Nevada 501(c)3 Corporation

In celebration of our 25th Anniversary, and with special thanks to ARMAC CONSTRUCTION, Friends To All participated in the 2024 Nevada Day Parade!

Happy Nevada Day!

Friends to All is dedicated to bringing joy, cheer and friendship to seniors in our community during the holiday season. Since 1999 this group has been working to meet the needs of those with limited financial resources who are home bound or in care centers with little or no family nearby.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.friendstoall.com or contact Gwen Pradere at (775) 315-2484.