earth

About 25 years ago, I purchased a 1933 three-volume set of The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture by L. H. Bailey, also known as Liberty Hyde Bailey. First published in 1914, the set was “a discussion, for the amateur, and the professional and commercial grower, of the kinds, characteristics and methods of cultivation of the species of plants grown in the regions of the United States and Canada for ornament, for fancy, for fruit and for vegetables: with keys to the natural families and genera, descriptions of the horticultural capabilities of the States and Provinces and dependent islands, and sketches of eminent horticulturists.”

We are humanists and, so, optimists.

Against us in the political sphere stand environmentalists and other anti-humanists. These folks see not progress, but threat, in seemingly everything done by man.

We see man as being born into an uncertain and challenging world. In a state of nature, earthquakes, tornadoes and other disasters combine with infections and shortages of food, shelter and other basic resources to threaten man's very survival. But over centuries, humans have applied their intelligence to shape the world around them.

Discover the past and present of Washoe Lake State Park, explore the sand dunes by the light of the moon and celebrate winter solstice with a leisurely stargazing hike through the park.

Come discover Nevada's rich natural and cultural heritage in an inspiring, interactive workshop through visual and musical storytelling.

Award-winning artists – songwriter/performer Jim Eaglesmith and nature photographer/geologist Mark Vollmer – will help you learn what rocks create the ground beneath Eagle Valley & the Carson City Library, and the life that this geology supports.

The so-called "Super Moon" rises above the Pine Nut Mountains to the east of Carson City Monday evening. This photograph, taken by Lisa Fisher, was shot in East Carson City just above Empire Ranch.

The full moon tonight is something special. Known as a ‘supermoon’ for how close it will be to earth, it’s going to be worth a look. A hike this evening at Washoe Lake State Park is planned for those who would like to see it from the sand dunes. El Charro Avita always has Monday Night Football specials for those who want to watch the Bengal/Giants game, but the High Sierra Swing Dance Club meets there as well for their weekly club meet-up and dancing.

This is a composite photo depicting a syzygy super moon rising above the hills in North Carson City on November 14, 2016. Although the position and size of the moon is exaggerated and different due to artistic license, the minds image is displayed here in a creative example of composite photographic art. This picture is is how we might imagine the Syzygy Super Moon rising over Carson City.

Standing in front of artist Mauricio Sandoval’s newest mural on West Telegraph Street gives one the feeling they are admiring the high desert landscape of Northern Nevada rather than a brick wall.

The Nevada Department of Transportation’s USA Parkway/State Route 439 project has reached a milestone as paving of the future roadway extension begins.

Nevada Leaders Oppose Question 2:

“As Governor and a former Federal Judge, I have seen first-hand the negative effects that marijuana for recreational purposes can have on our state and our communities. Proponents of this measure claim it will help education, it will not. What it will do is create health and safety problems that Nevada cannot afford. Legalizing marijuana would have devastating consequences for our state and for Nevada families and I would ask that voters join with me and Vote No on 2 when they head to the polls this fall.” – Governor Brian Sandoval

Carson Chamber Singers, conducted by Michael Langham, will present its 2016 Fall Concerts on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s in the Mountains, 111 S. E Street in Virginia City, and on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Sierra, 3680 US Highway 395 South in Carson City.

Who better to learn from about meteors and asteroids than a retired National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist?

Marla Moore, who teaches a couple of classes at Western Nevada College, leads a free discussion on “Meteors. Rocks from the Sky” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at Jack C. Davis Observatory in Carson City.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed Executive Order 2016-28 that orders all flags to fly at half-staff on Sunday, September 11 from sunrise to sunset in recognition of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance for those victims of the terrorists attacks 15 years ago.

The Nevada Department of Transportation has reached a milestone 50 percent completion of construction of the final leg of the I-580 Carson City Freeway.

Historian and lecturer Mike Thomas will talk on “The Roswell UFO Incident” on Saturday, Sept 10 at Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College.

President Barack Obama was cheered enthusiastically Wednesday at the 20th Lake Tahoe Summit, an annual gathering of federal and state leaders from California and Nevada who are dedicated to protecting the Sierra's crown jewel.

"I've never been here," President Obama told the crowd Wednesday at Harvey's Outdoor Arena in Stateline. "Its not that I didn't want to come, but nobody invited me."

The President quipped he's sure to return, "though my transportation won't be as nice."

Coming home.

That's how Victoria Melhuish, M.D., sees her practice's expansion to the Nevada state capital.

Western communities are facing effects of a warming climate with slower and earlier snowmelt reducing streamflows and possibly the amount of water reaching reservoirs used for drinking water and agriculture, according to a study published in July.

Nighttime lane closures will take place periodically on South Carson Street near Spooner junction for the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Carson City Freeway project.

Carson City Sheriff's Office dispatch received multiple 911 calls Wednesday night reporting a large object, likely to be a meteor, that broke up over the skies above Carson City. Locally, the debris was seen as far west as Lake Tahoe and into the Mound House, Dayton and Brunswick Canyon areas.

What started out as a group of friends coming to south shore Lake Tahoe from their homes in the Sacramento area to watch the American Century Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe has turned into a spectator sport of its own.

Author Mark McLaughlin will speak on his book, Snowbound! Legendary Winters of the Tahoe Sierra, in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Sunday, July 10, at 10 a.m.

Mark McLaughlin’s latest book is not about meteorology, however it is about weather. In his book, McLaughlin focuses on the top ten biggest winters in the Tahoe Sierra based on snowfall measured at Donner Pass since 1879. He will share amazing weather facts and incredible stories of men and women struggling to cope against some of the most powerful storms on Earth.

People are asking about earwigs. Earwigs are easily recognized with rather alarming-looking pincers on their tail ends. These unappealing pests can devastate young vegetables, flowers, soft fruits or corn silks.

In spite of this, earwigs, believe it or not, are also beneficial. Being omnivores, they eat aphids, other insects, mites, nematodes, algae and fungi. They eat and break down organic matter, which includes dying and dead plants or ripened fruits.

A viral video circulating since Tuesday that purports to be illegal chemical waste dumping is being investigated by Nevada environmental health officials. A Mound House company acknowledge to the Reno Gazette-Journal that it is the company depicted in the video.

The 1 minute, 51 second video has appeared on Reddit and other social media channels. it was posted by a person with the name of Luke Murray and has generated nearly 500,000 views.

As soon as John Rupert, 15, could walk, he started learning the traditional dances of his Native American forefathers.

“We have all my regalia in all different sizes,” said John, the son of a Washoe father and Paiute mother. “I think it’s cool. Not many people can say they go to powwows on the weekends.”

Nevadans marked both Flag Day and the Army's 241st Birthday in a ceremony Tuesday at the Nevada Veterans Memorial on the Capitol Grounds in Carson City.

Nearly doubling last year’s attendance, well over 100 people and many active military personnel attended the ceremony, which featured the Presentation of Colors, the National Anthem, the Army Song, and welcome remarks by emcee Guy Clifton.

Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery are on a two-year tour and will be visiting the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City and Minden's O2 Wellness & Yoga Studio to share their unique and deeply spiritual culture of Tibetan Buddhism.

Western Nevada College is offering the college and community the opportunity to witness a rare celestial event on Monday, May 9. From sunrise, around 5:50 a.m. to noon, the planet Mercury will transit across the Sun, passing between Earth and the Sun.

When we’ve had enough of politics and politicians, we need a good fun exhilarating movie like The Right Stuff. After a long hard week, take Saturday evening to watch this rollicking 1983 classic with great casting, script, directing, settings, performances, action, music, editing and themes. Plus hot planes and some explosions.

There are many great aspects of the film, but we want to note one we find profoundly appealing. Something the world needs these days.

Brett Fisher is a writer and cartoonist who resides in Carson City. He and his wife, Lisa, have lived in the state capital for nearly eight years.