Washington

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. — The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch reports a 75-acre wildfire, dubbed the Washington Fire, is burning near Silver Peak in Alpine County, pushing up a large plume of smoke visible from Carson Valley south of the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Following the release of Pope Francis’ much-anticipated encyclical dealing with climate change, a volunteer from the Carson City chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby will meet in Washington, D.C. with representatives and senators to press for legislation that places a fee on carbon and returns revenue to households.

Honor Flight Nevada's Vietnam Project, a plan that was nearly two years in the making, boarded more than 40 veterans of the Vietnam War and support staff on an airplane early Friday morning where they will spend the weekend in Washington, D.C.

Honor Flight takes veterans of World War II and the Korean War on all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C. Friday's group of veterans marks the first Nevada Honor Flight with veterans from the Vietnam War. The Veterans will visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifice.

We made it, Carson City! It’s Friday, and the first day of summer is this weekend. The Reno Rodeo has begun, and there are several days to get in on the action. Tonight, Carson City BMX is hosting Race for Life, and anyone with a bmx bike and a helmet can participate in helping them raise funds for a good cause. The annual Powwow kicks off at the Stewart Indian School with Grand Entrance at 7 p.m. Head to Comma Coffee and celebrate eleven years of World Dance Open Floor: just watch or sign up to show your moves.

FRIDAY:

• Reno Rodeo (Ticket prices range from $12 - $27) and Carnival (4pm-12am) at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Splurge, (as defined at Dictionary.com) is: to indulge oneself in some luxury or pleasure. Its National Splurge Day, so treat yourself to some Taste of Downtown tickets. Head over to the Purple Avocado, Classy Seconds Gift Store, or the Chamber of Commerce and plan on indulging for a good cause. Indulge in some live music at the Brewery Arts Center tonight: Whatitdo from Reno will be playing in the Black Box Theater.

THURSDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (sign in 7:45am, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

It’s National Eat Your Veggies Day, and if you find yourself in Douglas County, either one of today’s farmers markets will make that an easy and delicious feat. Carson City hosts its own Farmers Market on Third and Curry Streets every Saturday morning until September. Head to the Carson City Library this evening for a presentation on Myanmar by local resident, Raven Grayshield. If you already have all the answers, ‘Geeks Who Drink Trivia’ at Lake Tahoe Brewery might be right for you.

WEDNESDAY:

• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Happy Tuesday, Carson City. And happy Bloomsday to the James Joyce aficionados out there. June is National Soul Food Month, so my suggestion for today is a trip to Sassafras for some New Orleans inspired grub and a great free concert. Songwriter Bryan Hayes will be in house for one night to help promote his new album ‘Farther Down the Line.’ Check out the Official Video for his new Single ‘I Wanna Run.’ The song was written in Mosul, Iraq, and one of Bryan's soldiers, SGT Zach Tucker, is featured in the video.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Today is National Nature Photography Day, so have at it. Find something beautiful and take a snapshot. It’s also National Smile Power Day, so you may as well take some pictures of smiling faces as well. Do something to make Monday a little brighter and the day will fly by. The Friends of the Carson City Library are having a half-off everything sale at Browsers Corner Book Store all week, so go in and find yourself a summer read. Don’t forget to head into Classy Seconds Thrift Shop this week and grab a ticket for Taste of Downtown: it hits the streets on Saturday.

MONDAY:

Carson City Library will host local resident Raven Grayshield on Wednesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation on the country of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Grayshield spent five months living in Yangon teaching English. Her enthusiasm about the country and culture is evident in the experiences she will share Wednesday evening. Join us to learn more about the nation tucked between China, India, and Thailand. In Grayshield’s words, “I want to take you through the charms of the country.”

Cyclists with Journey of Hope, a Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity’s national philanthropy effort to serve people with disabilities, made a stop Friday in Carson City and Western Nevada College as part of its cross-country bicycle trek that began in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle, which will ultimately conclude later this summer in Washington, D.C.

I don’t mean to make this hard on you, but you have some decisions to make. All day, all night, all weekend long, there are numerous activities throughout our area. Take a good look at the list, grab your friends, family, and kids, and have a great weekend. The Experimental Aircraft Association is hosting the Ford Tri-Motor this weekend, and has Young Eagles flights for the kids: registration and orientation is at 8 a.m. Head over to Eagle Valley Golf for free family golf day.

The weekend is getting an early start. Carson Valley Days in Gardnerville kicks off with their Lampe Park carnival, and Dangberg Historic Ranch Home off Highway 88 hosts the first of their Twilight Concerts with Ciana. You can meet Author Laura Lea White at the Browser’s Corner Book Shop tonight; copies of her book ‘Generational Gifts: The Legacy of Evelyn Marie’ will be available. Silver Dollar Cruise Night is at Dunkin' Donuts; every Thursday through summer you'll find hot rods, street racers, and cool old cars at a different location.

THURSDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (sign in 7:45am, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes classes includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

A national research firm has ranked Carson City as among the best small cities in the nation for lawyers and recent law school grads. GoodCall Data Center notes in a report published Wednesday that Nevada's capital city made the list because of high lawyer salaries, great amenities and employment options.

BIG book sales ahead at the Browsers Corner book Store. The first one is Saturday, June 13. It is a parking lot sale, and runs from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Lowest prices of the year:
— Hardcover - 50 cents
— Paperbacks - 25 cents
— Children’s books - 10 cents

There will also be sales on Monday, June 15 and again on Saturday, June 20. Everything in the book store will be half off! An additional 10 percent discount for members of the Friends of the Library on Monday, June 15.

The bookstore is across the street from the Carson City Library at 711 East Washington Street.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said today that he's not going to run for Nevada's open U.S. Senate seat in 2016 that is being vacated by Nevada Sen. Harry Reid. His statement is below:

"In 1984, Nevada Senator Paul Laxalt gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as a legislative intern in his office in Washington, D.C. Coming from humble beginnings, the experience changed my life and charted me on a path of public service. It never occurred to me then that I would someday have an opportunity to be a candidate for the United States Senate.

Western Nevada College invites the community to participate in the second annual Journey of Hope Friendship Visit to WNC in Carson City on Friday. Presented by WNC and the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, the event is a stop on a cross-country cycling trip by The Ability Experience, which brings awareness and support to people with disabilities. Festivities run from 5 to 8 p.m.

Well, as Nevadans, we are collectively now stuck with a new tax. It's name? Commerce Tax. (A Clever disguise for the recently defeated Gross Margin Tax?) Up until a few days ago, it was believed that this wouldn't pass. I have yet to see any real media explanation of the details, so, after reading the text of the bill enough times (SB483), while my head is still spinning, I will attempt to give you a little more of the picture.

Author Laura Lea White will be the featured author at the Friends of the Library Browsers Book Store on Thursday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Her book, “Generational Gifts: The Legacy of Evelyn Marie” spotlights hundreds of unpublished poems written by the author’s grandmother who lived through times of economic depression and world wars.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of June 1-7, 2015. Roadway sealing will continue resulting in road closures in the following areas, at which time there will be traffic control in place:
— The area along Deer Run Road and Pinon Hills Drive, Monday, June 1 and the general vicinity of Washington Street to the north, Roop Street to the east, Seventh Street to the south, and Carson Street to the west; as well as along Morgan Mill Road, Sunday, June 7.

On Saturday, June 6, the Carson City Library will present “Tintabulations,” a community handbell ensemble from Reno in the library Digitorium, beginning at noon.

The concert, entitled “How The West Was Rung,” is an homage to the ensemble's Summer 2015 tour of their home state of Nevada in celebration of its Sesquicentennial, as well as a reference to their musicianship quickly becoming known in the handbell world as "west coast style."

The last Friday of May and Carson City is hopping. Catch some comedy at the Carson Nugget, the Sierra Nevada Ballet’s one woman show ‘Fancifool’ at the Brewery Arts Center, or some live music. The Trippin King Snakes are at Sassafras, Mo’z Motley Blues are at Living the Good Life, and Stereo Galaxy is ripping it up at Westside Pour House. I suggest you take a gander at the complete list for all the happenings.

FRIDAY:

• Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (178 mile relay race; begins at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno; legs 25-28 run through Carson City)
• ‘Forevermore’ by artist Su Limbert at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

Low maintenance, drought tolerant lavender provides Nevada's small farms with many options for producing value-added products and year-round sales.

Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute offers a daylong workshop “Lavender, Producing Value-added Commercial Products” on Friday, June 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Jeanne Dini Center, 120 N. California St., in Yerington. Cost is $30 for those registering by June 12, $40 afterward. Lunch is included, and seating is limited. Online registration is available at www.wnc.edu/ce/sci/.

With the memory of the performance by USAF Concert Band from Washington, D.C. not yet faded, we are pleased to announce the USAF Band of the Golden West Commanders will be appearing on stage at the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Community Center, 851 E. William Street, in Carson City Sunday afternoon, June 28 at 3 p.m.

The Chamber is once again pleased to co-sponsor the event with the City of Carson City to bring the newly-revived ensemble of 18 Airmen to perform tunes of the Big Band era and so much more.

Former New York Gov. George Pataki entered the race for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination on Thursday, positioning himself as a Washington outsider and moderate who won three terms in a heavily Democratic state....

One Day Only! End of the Month blow out book sale. Saturday, May 30th from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Everything in the Bargain Room will sell for $1:00 a bag (we provide the bags). This includes hardcover and paperback books, videos, books on tape, records, sheet music, craft books, etc. Come early and fill up the bags.
The Browsers Corner Book Store
711 East Washington Street in Carson City

The Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition congratulates Spencer Flanders, 16, of Minden, Nev., on his recent award as National Youth Advocate of the Year by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Flanders was honored in early May at the annual gala in Washington, D.C. alongside former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and the 2015 winner of the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence.

UPDATE: The accident did not cause any significant injuries to the bicycle rider, according to deputies on scene.
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Carson City fire and ambulance were called late this morning to an accident involving a bicyclist at Washington and Carson streets.
The accident happened at around 11 a.m. and involved a female bicyclist and a vehicle.

The U.S. House voted last week for a two-month extension in federal highway funding, averting an interruption of state projects while buying more time to come up with a better solution to federal road woes....

Mr. Bush, we have some folks you can to talk to about climate change

By Mark Reynolds

It makes me nervous when someone who might become president of the United States says the science on climate change is “convoluted” and that it is “arrogant” to assert that humans are the primary cause of global warming.

That’s what happened recently when Jeb Bush, the still-undeclared presidential candidate, said the following at a campaign-style event in New Hampshire:

Beau Biden, a son of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, has been hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Medical Center outside Washington, the vice president’s office said on Tuesday....