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I still remember my first mountain bike ride. It was back in 1985 at my local BMX shop. The owner showed us the new bike he just got, a big-wheeled, fat-tired bike with low gearing. Our small-wheeled BMX bikes were limited to firmer terrain, and you had push them up the steeper hills.

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) is seeking applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program. About $500,000 from the US Forest Service State and Private Forestry program will be available for rural (local and volunteer) fire departments statewide. The purpose of this funding is to improve rural fire departments’ readiness for and response to wildfires, especially those in the wildland urban interface.

Youth Theatre Carson City is thrilled to announce our upcoming production of "Yes, Virginia: The Musical" an exciting new holiday classic based on the Macy’s and NBC Holiday special of the same name.

The show will run three performances, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. in the Bob Boldrick Theatre at the Carson City Community Center. "Yes, Virginia: The Musical" is a brand-new musical that has been adapted specifically for children and families by Macy’s, in partnership with the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Wild Horse Children’s Theater is looking for actors, singers and dancers, ages 5-16 to audition for Disney’s “Mulan, Jr.” Auditions will be held Thursday, January 9 from 4-7 pm and Saturday, January 11 from 1-4 pm at the Performance Hall of the Brewery Arts Center , 511 W. King Street in Carson City. Auditions are by appointment only. You must call for an audition slot.

Applications are being accepted for three open positions on the Carson City Parks and Recreation Commission.

The commission advises the Carson City Board of Supervisors on the use of city parks and protect the right of all Carson City residents to enjoy the parks system. The board seeks applications from persons interested in serving 4-year terms on the commission. Terms expire January 2018.

What this latest storm lacks in significant snow depth for Carson City will be made up with bitter cold and wind.

That's the word from the National Weather Service as a winter storm was to barrel down in the region, bringing 2 to 4 inches of snow to Carson City, up to 6 inches above 5,000 feet followed by several days of single-digit low temperatures and day time highs that will struggle to reach 20.

Don’t leave money on the table. If you have not checked your Medicare Part D plan, a trained Medicare/SHIP counselor will be available at the Carson City Library Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help you evaluate which plan is best for you.

“Your Knowledge and Discovery Place”, Carson City Library, open Monday ,Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., is located at the corner of Roop and Washington Streets. For more information call 887-2244 or checkout our website at www.carsoncitylibrary.org.

Henderson artist Robin Stark’s ceramics are featured in the Nevada Arts Council’s OXS Gallery in Carson City from Dec. 9 through Jan. 31.

The work featured in Robin Stark: Ceramic Reflections represents a recent trend in which the artist’s ceramic forms become entirely sculptural. From the time spent in her first ceramic class in college, the material continues to engage Stark with its versatile and aesthetic qualities.

“The work fluctuates, presenting the viewer different considerations of what can be made in clay,” Stark said.

The Barton Foundation has been a cornerstone for The Barton Health Group for more than 20 years by providing excellent healthcare service to customers and also have been big players during the holiday season.

This year’s Barton Festival of Trees and Lights will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Barton Health and Coldwell Banker Select will be contributing to the event in a major way.

With all of the crazy “Black Friday” shopping madness (shootings, knifings, fights, etc.) now behind us, we can begin, once again, to think rationally about ideas for Christmas gifts for that special person(s) in our lives.

So, if you were not part of that frenzied mob scene on the day after Thanksgiving, or if you are still scratching your head about what to get for that person, here are some “Don Q” suggestions for Christmas gifts:

Remember that you can help local foster children with new clothing tonight at Papa Murphy's Take n Bake Pizza from 5-7 pm the South location, 4314 S Carson St in Carson City.

There are wonderful businesses in Carson City collecting like Casino Fandago, all McDonald locations, all Nevada State Bank locations stop by the website to find drop off area near you. Come tonight at Papa Murphy's and donate new clothing and receive a tub if cookie dough - hope to see everyone there between 5-7 pm.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reminds veterans that service-related injuries need not keep them from enjoying wildlife and the great outdoors. America’s disabled veterans get a break on the price of sport fishing and hunting licenses and are provided some special opportunities.

CDFW offers reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses to both resident and nonresident disabled veterans.

PPI Presents...Murder in the House of Horrors

The Business Branch of the Carson City Library at the Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC) will be a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site again for the upcoming tax season.

Carson City Library will present National Geographic’s documentary film “Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack” on Saturday, Dec. 7, the 72nd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The film will be shown at the BRIC, 109 E. Proctor Street in downtown Carson City. The film will begin at 11:00 a.m. (just before the Wine Walk).

The adoption and implementation of Common Core (CCSS) in Nevada is patently ILLEGAL. Everything they are doing, everything they have done, and the way they have gone about it is illegal.

On the Nevada side,

According to the NRS 389.520, the authority to determine what STANDARDS will be imposed on Nevada's schools is assigned to the Council To Establish Academic Standards. 

NRS 389.520

1.  The Council shall:
     
(a) Establish standards of content and performance, including, without limitation, a prescription of the resulting level of achievement

As I look forward to the year of 2014 with high expectations, hopes and dreams, this is a good time to reflect back on some selected personal memories from the rapidly ending year of 2013.

Here are my top memories of this year, ranging all the way from Carson City to British Columbia and the Yukon in Canada:

Carson City Library is an officially designated place in Carson City to drop-off holiday cheer, in the form of giving, to so many of our area residents in need of a little festive spirit and warmth.

Bently Biofuels and The Western Sustainability Pollution and Prevention Network are teaming to provide collection sites around the region so that residents have an environmentally safe way to get rid of cooking oil used to deep fry their holiday turkeys.

During the holiday season the two organizations are reaching out to the Carson City, Carson Valley, Reno and Lake Tahoe communities to encourage recycling of cooking oil used at homes throughout the region. Collection bins will be placed in various locations throughout the community from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve.

DON’T BE A TURKEY…
And lay around “stuffed” all day!!!
Come join us at Empire Ranch Golf Course
Shotgun start at 9:00 am on Thanksgiving Day!
ONLY $25 per player (includes cart).
FREE Coffee and Hot Chocolate until 11:00 am
***DOORBUSTER ON BLACK FRIDAY***
Forget the stress of shopping on Black Friday.
Come out and golf with us!!! Do your shopping
on our website from your favorite recliner at home!
Call the ProShop at 775.885.2100 to book your
Tee times or visit our website at empireranchgolf.com

Santa Claus makes room for lots of children on his express runs at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 14 and 15.

The historic and picturesque V&T Railway steam locomotive No. 25 pulls Santa Train, departing Carson City’s Wabuska Depot at the corner of Fairview Drive and Carson Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All seats are $3 and children 3 and younger are free. Tickets are available at the depot on days the train operates.

Sierra Surgery Hospital, in partnership with Carson Tahoe Health in Carson City, has been named Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.

The Joint Commission recognized Sierra Surgery Hospital for exemplary performance using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care. Specifically, Sierra Surgery Hospital was recognized for its excellence in surgical care.

South Lake Tahoe photographer Rick Gunn, who rode his bike around the world from 2005 to 2008, is on a mission to find a pathway to peace in Iran.

Gunn and Iranian friend Mohammad Tajeran, also a world-traveled cyclist, are raising money to fund the "Wheels of Peace Iranian-American Children’s Art Project."

Carson City placed third in the nation among local government websites and digital technology serving a population of 75,000 and under, according to the national research firm Center for Digital Government.

The ranking is behind Palo Alto, Calif., and Fayetteville, Ark., and marks the fourth consecutive year the city's website, Carson.org has ranked in the Center's top 10 list. The Center serves as an advisory institute that focuses on information technology policies and best practices.

CARSON CITY – The official web site for a campaign that will revolutionize HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Nevada, betonthisnv.org launched Tuesday.

Elaine and I spent an enjoyable day in the Great Outdoors last Sunday, which included spincasting for trout and taking photographs.

It was a fun-filled day that you might want to replicate in the near future, before Old Man Winter arrives with all of his cold, frost, snow and ice.

“Third Thursday” has been the number one networking event for the Nevada real estate scene and November’s edition of the event looks to be the biggest event in company history.

Dogs, puppies, cats and kittens will be taking over Carson City PetSmart this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for National Adoption Weekend. Dog Town Canine Rescue and Carson Tahoe SPCA will be at PetSmart from 11-3 each day

The Oncology on Canvas Wine Reception will be a special evening of art, wine, appetizers, entertainment, silent auction, 50/50 mystery raffle and socializing. Meet Dr. Perez and take a tour of the facility. Local created art pieces along with pieces from the Lilly Oncology on Canvas National Tour will be on display.

The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m. at the Sierra Nevada Cancer Center, 1460 S. Curry Street in Carson City.

Charlyn Enstad of Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate, already a Previews Property International Specialist, now has more to celebrate in her already successful real estate career.

She has earned the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, a course developed by the Global Business and Alliances of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and taught by Jeni Temen of Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate.