Nevada Briefly Nov. 12

Writer to offer book signings locally

Carson City writer Julia Wells will be promoting her self-published book, "Blessed Be," for the holidays after a month-long book tour of California where she appeared on The Morris television show in Modesto. She also was a guest speaker at the Trinity Networking Team's business lunch, and was interviewed on a Christian radio program.

"Blessed Be, the autobiography of Julia Wells, is an inspiring story of one woman's triumph over the trials and tribulations of life with God's help and a little encouragement from the King of rock and roll, Elvis Presley. You've got to read it," said Rev. Ken Haskins of Carson City.

Book signings will be from noon-5 p.m. Nov. 27 at The Manger Bible & Bookstore, 4250 Cochise St. in Carson City, and from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 28 and 3-5 p.m. Dec. 19 at Borders Books, 911 Topsy Lane in north Douglas County.

Organizations and church groups interested in having Wells as a speaker can contact her through her website, www.blessedbejulia.com.

Learn about Empire City, Ormsby County

Join local author and historian Eileen Cohen for a book signing and program on Empire City, Ormsby County.

This is part of the Frances Humphrey Lecture Series and will be from 7-8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. Doors open at 6 p.m. for main building exhibit viewing

Admission is $8 adults; free for children 17 and younger, and for museum members.

For more information, call 687-4810 ext. 237 or 245.

Olive Garden announces 15th Annual Pasta Tales essay contest

The restaurant chain Olive Garden hopes to capture students' future aspirations and plans to achieve their goals as part of its 15th annual Pasta Tales essay writing contest.

This year, Olive Garden is asking students to: "Describe how furthering your education beyond high school will help make your dreams come true."

The contest grand prize is a three-day trip to New York City and a $2,500 savings bond.

The contest ends Jan. 21 and stories or essays should be between 50 to 250 words. Pasta Tales entry forms and complete rules are available on Olive Garden's website at www.olivegarden.com/company/community/pasta_tales.asp and at local Olive Garden restaurants.

Entries must include the writer's first and last name, complete address, phone number with area code, grade, date of birth including year and a statement that the work is his or her own.  Entries must be sent to Pasta Tales, PMB 2000, 6278 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308-1916.

Submissions will be judged based on creativity, adherence to theme, organization, grammar, punctuation and spelling by the Quill and Scroll Society of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Iowa, with winners selected by Olive Garden.

For more information about Olive Garden's Pasta Tales, contact Katie Lennon at 919-376-1737 between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Find out how to help foster children, parents

The Carson City Adoptive and Foster Home Recruitment and Support Coalition assists in recruiting and supporting foster parents. The primary organization members are the Carson City School District, Sierra Association of Foster Families and CASA of Carson City.

Those interested in helping give support to existing foster parents and their foster children can attend a meeting at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at 1545 E. 5th St.

All foster parents and concerned community members are encouraged to attend. Bring a lunch and learn about the huge need for foster families in Carson City and what can be done to help support the existing ones. All ideas are welcome.

Call 882-6776 for more information.

USDA commodity food distribution planned

RSVP Carson City volunteers will be distributing free USDA Commodity Foods from 9-11 a.m. Nov. 19 at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

This is a week earlier than normal because of the Thanksgiving holiday. This month's commodity foods include apple juice, grape juice, russet potatoes, bakery mix, kernel corn, tomato sauce, sweet potatoes, canned pumpkin, apricots and peaches, frozen ham, shredded mozzarella cheese, whole grain rotini pasta, applesauce and frozen strawberry cups.

Any needy family in Carson City can be eligible by signing the "Issuance Sheet" at the community center Nov. 19 certifying that their household's annual income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

This is strictly on the honor system so please be respectful of this privilege. Those income guidelines currently are $20,036 for a single and $26,955 for a couple. A picture ID/drivers license must be provided. Food may be picked up for the homebound or those unable to attend by bringing a signed note from them and their picture ID.

RSVP and the State Commodity Food Program order all food that is available; however, if the food runs out, it is because we could not obtain more. Persons declaring large families for commodities may be asked for proof of family members.

RSVP and the USDA Commodity Food Program are both equal opportunity employers. If you have any questions call the State of Nevada Food Distribution Program at 688-2828 or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at 687-4680 ext. 0.

Ladies Night Out offers early holiday shopping

Soroptimist International of the Comstock is hosting a "Ladies Night Out" from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at Dayton Valley Golf Course,

51 Palmer Court, Dayton.

Join the group for an evening of socializing and an opportunity for early Christmas shopping from some local home-based businesses. Proceeds go to improving the lives of local women and children.

Tickets are available at Dayton Valley Floral & Nursery, or call Dorothy Wingard at 246-2499 or Lois Wallace at 246-8316.

Stomp out obesity

A week ago the Nevada Appeal published an article aimed at educating the public on childhood obesity.

Residents will have an opportunity from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to put that information to use as volunteers demonstrate how to get active and stomp out obesity. The Carson Mall is hosting the Kids Talking Wall, and this month it is featuring Happy Kids, Healthy Kids.

This event is free to all families who would like to improve their health and get active. There will be health care professionals on site to answer questions and provide free dental, vision and spinal health screenings.

There also will be lots of hands-on activities for the kids to participate in: golf, table tennis, hockey, karate, fitness testing and much more. Prizes will be awarded to those who participate, including gift certificates, sports equipment, T-shirts, etc.

There will be entertainment by the Wild Horse Children's Theater, the "Blue Mimes" and a sample of their play, "Alice in Wonderland." The Brewery Arts Center is going to have the cast from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" there to perform a little sample of their new play.

For more information, e-mail Russell at brianrusselldc@gmail.com.

Baseball team selling Indian tacos

The Sierra Boys of Summer U-10 travel baseball team is selling Indian tacos today to help raise funds for the coming season.

The tacos are made by Debbie Painter and cost $5 apiece. You can have them delivered by calling 230-5281 or you can pick them up at 2900 S. Curry St. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All the money raised will be used to enter tournaments during the season.

For more information, call Kim Good at 883-7546.

Pau-Wa-Lu Players present auditions for Guys & Dolls Jr.

Auditions are open to Douglas County School District students from 6th-9th grade from 3-6 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School. Callbacks will be from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 2.

Auditioners should prepare a one-minute song with accompaniment - no vocals on the accompaniment - auditioner's voice only. The auditions consist of the song, a brief dance combination and cold readings.

Performances will be Feb. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13. For more information, call Kris Garrett, artistic director, at 219-3577.

Douglas Dems to meet Thursday

Douglas Democratic Central Committee meets from 7-8 p.m. Nov. 18 at 1513 Highway 395, Gardnerville. A social begins at 6:30 p.m.

Guest speaker is Nan Bowers, legislative librarian for the Legislative Counsel Bureau. For more information, call Nancy Epstein at 721-5169.

Amateur radio exams in Stagecoach

Regularly scheduled testing sessions for Amateur Radio licenses are now available in Stagecoach.

The next session will be Dec. 11. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and last until about 10 a.m. The testing will end around noon. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome.

The exam fee for 2010 is $15. Make checks payable to ARRL-VEC.

Testing will take place at 8755 Cimarron Trail or the intersection of Apache and Cimarron. Take Apache north off Highway 50 East about one mile to the intersection of Apache and Cimarron. Signs will be posted.

For those upgrading an existing license bring your original license and a photocopy of that license, as well as the originals of any CSCEs you may have. Remember to bring photocopies, as there are no copying facilities on site.

For more information, call Jack Ruckman, AC6FU, at 1970 Utah Avenue, Silver Springs, NV 89429, telephone 775-577-2637, or e-mail ac6fu@arrl.net.