The Green

My first full-time job after college was assistant city engineer in Urbana, Illinois in 1972. I worked on my liberal Democrat green interests: bikeways, undergrounding communications and power lines, better sewer systems, sidewalks, traffic, planning and zoning codes.

I learned a key lesson in those matters. Its breadth and importance would become clearer as my career progressed.

One day the public works director, a crotchety old conservative Republican, said: “You want bikeways, underground lines, sidewalks and all those things? Well, it really is easy and cheap.”

The weekend is here and your Saturday around Carson City is chockfull of activities.

Despite snow on the ground, a Chinese New Year celebration will take place in downtown Carson City between the Nevada State Museum and the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada.

The ninth annual Carson High School Safe Grad Safe and Sober Run/Walk occurs at the CHS track.

And the 20th annual Feast of Chocolate, a scholarship fundraiser for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Capital Branch, is being held at the Plaza Hotel Event Center.

Good morning, Carson City, and Happy Monday! Be careful on your commute into, out of or around the Nevada state capital this morning. Snow and ice are expected to cover the roadways, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and drive safely.

There will be a few extra motorists in Carson City starting today and for the next 120 days as the 2019 Nevada Biennial Legislative Session begins.

I am leery when I see "dwarf" mugos (Pinus mugo) sold in stores. The idea of a pine that stays tiny and round is tempting for the interesting shape and texture it brings to a landscape. However, "dwarf" can be misleading.

A 34 year-old Reno woman was among four people arrested Friday by Carson City Sheriff's deputies on felony drug offenses.

Good morning Carson City and welcome to Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. We hope your work week started off on the right foot even though the weather outside has been unpredictable, with sunshine one day and clouds the next. Today we're looking at a slight chance of rain showers, around 20 percent after 11 a.m., and otherwise mostly cloudy skies and a high of 54.

Carson City School District is pleased to announce Educator Kristina Britt, speech language pathologist at Bordewich Bray Elementary School, as a winner of GreenNevada’s Growing Resources for Environmental Education in Nevada 2019 Golden Pinecone Sustainability Award.

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, will offer a series of eight classes for those in the green industry beginning Jan. 29. The program benefits people wanting to enter the industry, beginners in the industry and established industry professionals.

A recent documentary on PBS on plastic pollution shocked me with something called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In acknowledgement of the Carson City School District’s sustainability achievements, the Northern Nevada Development Authority provided a Special Recognition of Excellence for Sustainability Practices during its monthly ‘The Business Edge’ meeting at the Carson Nugget Casino, Oct. 24.

On a recent visit to Oregon, I spent three days harvesting produce from our friends’ garden before temperatures could kill cold-sensitive crops. We harvested bushels of tomatoes, four kinds of peppers including "Jimmy Nardellos" and jalapeños, lemon cucumbers, "Malibu" green beans, artichokes, golden raspberries, basil and figs.

When it comes to the environment, a common question among business owners usually boils down to the old paradigm question: "do I protect the environment or the bottom line?"

Lorens Chan of Los Angeles, CA, fired a 7-under 65 for a 15-under 201 total that has given him a commanding seven-shot lead after 54 holes played in Stage One Web.com Tour Qualifying at Dayton Valley Golf Club.

On Wednesday, Oct. 17, Leisure Hour Club members will hear about Carson City’s lost history from local author and historian Peter Mires.

Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada will host their ultimate balloon scavenger hunt adventure on Sunday, September 9 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m at the Great Reno Balloon Race in Rancho San Rafael Park.

Girls will meet balloon pilots, help clean the park, and join other Girl Scouts from across their council. Everyone is welcome to join the fun including family, friends, and not-yet Girl Scouts. And yes – this is a free event!

When is it time to pick fruit or vegetables?

Size and color are not always reliable in determining harvest time for apples and pears. Grapes and berries on the other hand are ripe when they get to be the right color. Apples and pears develop to the highest quality when picked mature, a stage of development prior to ripe.

The last weekend of August holds tight to summertime tradition. Get something fresh from the field at Farmers Markets in Carson City, Genoa, and Dayton. Celebrate the end of summer with La Chamba on the Brewery Arts Center outdoor stage – one more season of Levitt Amp Community Concerts successfully behind us. Whether you want something fun to do with your ‘grown-up’ friends or something for the whole family to enjoy, take a look! There’s a little bit for everyone.

SATURDAY:

I’m worried about my green ash trees (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). They have always been such hardy trees, tolerant of drought, cold, sun, wind and alkalinity. They have needed little fertilizer or care and, in the past, always seemed to thrive.

I’m not even going to speculate on the air quality, but please use your best judgement when choosing your activities and there may be some cancellations that I am not aware of. Downtown has a full day of options, but the back roads may be a little more difficult to navigate due to construction projects. The great music that awaits will be worth the hassle. Read on and you’ll find indoors and outdoors activities that will help alleviate the cabin fever.

SATURDAY:

A 30 year-old man was arrested early Friday morning at 12:33 a.m. on multiple drug offenses, a Carson City Sheriff's deputy said, including two counts of felony heroin possession, one count of felony methamphetamine possession, and gross misdemeanor possession of a dangerous prescription drug without a prescription.

Spring rains caused more weeds to germinate in northern Nevada this year than in previous years, including some designated as “noxious weeds,” which the law requires to be eradicated.

Yeah, it’s hot out there, but it’s the area happenings that are sizzling. The Carson City Fair at Fuji Park offers a plethora of entertainment for all ages including tractor pulls, a carnival, and farm animals. Under the shade of the Mills Park cottonwoods, you’ll have all day to peruse the varied vehicles in the annual Run Whatcha Brung Car Show. The sun will come out tomorrow, but it’s the stars that are coming out tonight for the free Levitt Amp Concert at the Brewery Arts Center.

Time to get July off to a fun start. The downtown Wine Walk is a great way to spend the day exploring new shops, galleries, and restaurants. If you’re feeling competitive, head down to the Carson Mall for their watermelon and hot dog eating contests. The summer concerts at the Brewery Arts Center continue with a singer/songwriter showcase.

SATURDAY:

• — Sierra Chef Farmers Market at Genoa Town Park, on Nixon in Genoa (8am-1pm; An assortment of fresh produce, herbs, eggs and more, crafts, and local food items and specialties)

Three people were arrested in two separate busts late Friday night into early Saturday morning on felony drug offenses, Carson City Sheriff's deputies reported.

It’s a planes, trains, and automobiles kind of weekend. Add in bands, bikes and bar-be-ques and we’ve got most of this weekend’s list covered. The Carson City Airport is celebrating 90 years at this year’s open house and fly-in. One of the summer’s best events with balloon rides, cool old planes, and much more: you won’t want to miss it. Beat the heat at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada; all admission fees have been waived today thanks to Carson City Toyota. Summer concerts at the Brewery Arts Center begin tonight with the Original Wailers.

Has your air conditioner ever failed on a hot summer day? It’s a struggle no homeowner wants to deal with. When you own a home it’s important to budget annually for repairs that might be needed and anticipate when things might need to be replaced. If you take care of your home, your appliances and fixtures should last longer. This means keeping them clean, performing regular maintenance and preventing unnecessary wear. Even the most well-kept homes will need repairs at some point and it helps to know how long you should expect your items to last.

It’s going to be a breezy weekend, so you may want to rethink spending the day at the lake. Luckily, plenty of options are available just about anywhere you are. Carson City has a car show and Brewfest hitting the downtown corridor, and to the south, Minden and Gardnerville are having their party of the year: Carson Valley Days. It’s World Doll Day at the Nevada State Museum with special displays, activities, and a special performance by the local Young Chautauquans.

Memorial Day weekend is often thought of as the kick-off to summer, but in Northern Nevada we know that the weather is a fickle creature. The weather should be dryer and warmer as the weekend progresses but have back-up plans for your bar-be-que, just in case. From the Downtown Carson City Ghost Walk to the Rockin’ Rib Fest at Casino Fandango, a day hike with Muscle Powered to the Spring Blinky Man night-time costumed bike pub crawl – this weekend is chock-full of fun for locals and visitors alike, for the young and young-at-heart.

SATURDAY:  

Carson City, Douglas County, the American Cancer Society, and much of the community teamed up Saturday to participate in the 2018 Relay For Life at Mills Park in Carson City.

Dozens of kids and families swarmed the green belt at Eagle Valley Middle School during Carson City’s Family First Field Day for Mental Health Awareness.