Blues, airlifts and something wonderful that happened

As you read this column I'm nine hours ahead of Carson City, dealing with waitresses who only give you water if you ask for it, and even then, it's bubbly and warm. Oh, and you have to ask in German.

I had the great fortune of being sent with two squadrons of the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Airlift Wing to Germany to report on their annual training.

You may have seen some of the stories already, accompanied by the "High Rollers" logo.

I can't believe my luck in being OK'd to go. I figured they'd send crime reporter F.T. Norton.

After all, she carried a heavy machine gun in her Army unit back in her day.

Anyway, I met the units at 3 a.m. Saturday morning at their Reno Airport base, and we were scheduled to take off a few hours later.

I can still be reached via e-mail so if you have any ideas, send them over the Big Pond to khoreis@nevadaappeal.com

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Last Wednesday something incredible happened behind Adele's Restaurant.

I didn't get over there until late, but when I saw it I could hardly believe my eyes. The parking lot was a sea of heads.

They were all focused on a very professional stage, which featured light towers and speakers like you might expect from a miniature Rolling Stones concert.

Strumming his strings under the lights was world music pioneer David Lindley.

The event was sponsored by the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Charlie Abowd of Adele's Restaurant and Lounge and Jerry Massad of Carson City's famous Cracker Box.

"Our goal in supporting events like this is to build community pride and boost our local economy," said Joe McCarthy, Carson City's economic development and redevelopment manager.

The free concerts continue this week as part of the Capital City Summer Celebration.

On Friday, Ball & Sultan will play at Carson and Third streets between Mom & Pop's Diner and the historic St. Charles Hotel at 7 p.m. Food and beverages will be available from street booths set up by Mom & Pop's.

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DanceSpirit Performing Arts will hold its second annual wine-tasting fund-raiser event at 5 p.m. Saturday at Bodine's, 5650 S. Carson St. There will be a silent auction and raffle.

For more information, contact Sandi Scheer at 884-1066.

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Bluesman Charlie Musselwhite - who played with Eliades Ochoa of the Buena Vista Social Club - will play at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village Saturday. For details, call (414) 961-8350.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.