Community news briefs for week of July 10

Churchill Democrats meet today

The Churchill County Democrats will hold their regular monthly meeting today at the public library annex, 507 S. Maine St. and East Fairview, just north of the library.

They will be finalizing plans for their summer activities. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

August music

A week before the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair begins at the Rafter 3C Complex, Blair Crimmins & The Hookers appear Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. on the Centennial Stage. Crimmins began his current music career in Atlanta with a determination to bring Ragtime and 1920s style Dixieland Jazz to new audiences.

A multi-instrumentalist and music academic, Crimmins writes songs and arrangements for a classic New Orleans style horn section consisting of trumpet, clarinet and trombone. This free performance is also presented in cooperation with the mayor, city council and city of Fallon.

The Fallon Cantaloupe Festival’s lineup opens on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. with Queensrÿche, an American progressive metal band from Bellevue, Wash. Queensrÿche has released 16 studio albums, one EP and several DVDs.

For the country western crowd, Ned LeDoux plays Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Rafter’s arena. LeDoux recently appeared in Elko.

The Kaycee, Wyoming native is following in the steps of his late father, Chris LeDoux, a rodeo star in the 1970s and 80s. After Chris LeDoux retired from rodeo, he began his musical career in the 1980s.

Opening for LeDoux is Justin Lee, a performer with Nevada roots including some that have been placed in Churchill County.

Lee began writing songs as teenager and has mastered his craft with some of the top Nashville producers, engineers, songwriters and musicians. Six years ago, Lee a Justin released single, “Like I’ve Fallen.”

For tickets to see any musical act or attend the festival, go to go to https://aftontickets.com/falloncantaloupefestival.

Water information

The water call center telephone number is 775-867-5923, leave a message and your call will be returned. The dedicated email address is Highwater23@churchillcountynv.gov.

• Residents should use the email address or telephone number for non-emergency calls.

• High-water mitigation officials have created an interactive flood modeling map which is now available on the city of Fallon and Churchill County websites. This map allows residents to enter their address in the top right-hand corner and pull up the flood modeling map for their home or business.

• Sandbags are available for pickup weekdays during normal business hours at the county’s Miners Road yard.

• Important websites to remember:

City of Fallon: www.fallonnevada.gov

Churchill County: www.churchillcountynv.gov

Truckee Carson Irrigation District: www.tcid.org

Lahontan Valley News: nevadaappeal.com/news/lahontan-valley.

Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is July 19-20 at the Fallon Convention Center.

This year’s drive and competition is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Blood donors will receive a Battle of the Badges T-shirt.

The police department’s sixth win in the annual Battle of the Badges was aided by residents who donated blood and indicated their choice of agency to receive the blood. Last year 114 lifesaving blood units that benefitted more than 280 lives were collected. FPD collected 10 more units than CCSO.

Individuals who want to schedule an appointment should call Vitalant at 775-329-6461. Slots may be harder to find for those who want to walk in to donate blood.

But if the interest is like last year’s, the blood drive had to turn away people who wanted to donate because all the slots were filled.

Ladies Behind the Badge, have been a driving force in bring the blood drive to Fallon. Vitalant, which was formerly known as United Blood Service, will draw the blood. In Northern Nevada, about 150 pints are needed each day.

USDA hosts webinars

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Rural Utilities Service has announced that USDA will host a series of webinars to help organizations learn how to apply for financial assistance to advance clean, affordable and reliable electric energy in rural America.

USDA recently announced $10.7 billion in funding available under the USDA Powering Affordable Clean Energy and Empowering Rural America programs. Eligible organizations may apply for loans, grants, loan modifications and partially forgivable loans.

The Biden-Harris Administration made this historic funding possible through the Inflation Reduction Act. It will expand clean, affordable and reliable energy in rural communities, including U.S. territories and Compact of Freely Associated States.

USDA staff will host webinars via Zoom on dates through July and August.

School-to-career

The Churchill County High School. school-to-career program will host a community career fair at the Rafter 3C Arena on Aug. 10 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs should call Segura at 775-790-1139 and register to host a table at the event. Businesses interested in offering students mentorship, internships, apprentice opportunities and scholarships should also contact Segura directly.

About 1,000 attendees are expected.

Home Horticulture Certificate Program

University of Nevada, Reno Extension is offering its online Home Horticulture Certificate Program, Aug. 2 to Sept. 28. The program is ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about gardening in Nevada and is also a prerequisite for those interested in becoming a certified Nevada Master Gardener.

The cost is $275 and includes recorded lectures, readings, homework and online question-and-answer sessions with specialists and local gardening professionals. Sessions take place via Zoom, from noon to 1 p.m., Thursdays, and conclude with a final exam before certification.

The certificate program includes instruction on a variety of topics, such as soils, composting, native plants, small fruits and integrated pest management. Katelyn Brinkerhoff, statewide Master Gardener coordinator, said that the online program was developed to be accessible to everyone in Nevada.

Besides providing practical information for home gardeners, the certificate program is a prerequisite for entering the Nevada Master Gardener Program, an Extension program designed to teach research-based Nevada gardening practices to volunteers. In turn, Master Gardeners share this knowledge through educational presentations and workshops, community events and projects, and answering gardening questions at Extension offices.

After completing their first year, Master Gardeners make an annual commitment to 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours volunteering wherever their knowledge and skills best fit community needs.

Applications for Master Gardener training open after participants pass the Home Horticulture Certification Program final exam. Master Gardener training costs $25 and takes place Oct. 26 to Dec. 28. It includes online readings, lectures and live question-and-answer sessions, while county-specific in-person activities may also be added to the schedule.

Registration for the Home Horticulture Certificate Program is open now through July 28, and can be completed online. For information on classes, email Brinkerhoff at ExtensionMasterGardener@unr.edu.

Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.edu or 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.

Youth awards

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services is seeking nominations for the Youth Serving Veterans Award.

If you know of someone, age 19 or younger, or a group of young people (same age requirement applies) who is making a difference in the lives of veterans or the veterans’ community, now is the time to speak up and nominate them. https://buff.ly/3Zb99Zm

Rotary Club of Fallon

Rotary meets every Tuesday at noon at the Stockman’s Steakhouse. Each meeting usually has a speaker. Guests are welcome.

July 18: Black Family Treats and Gifts

Kindergarten registration

Bring your child with you and register for kindergarten.

There is no need to register if your child is already registered or your child attends Northside Early Learning Center until the end of this school year as your child will automatically roll up.

Once registration is complete, you and your child may take a tour of the school and meet the staff!

Important information if registering:

Your child must be five on or before Aug. 21 (first day of school for kindergarten).

Please bring: your child's state-issued birth certificate, poof of address, a valid ID for parent/guardian, and your child's current immunization record.

To register before this event, visit bit.ly/ChurchillCSDKindergartenRegistration or churchillcsd.com

Churchill County Library

With warm weather upon us, it is the perfect time to grab a book and settle under a tree…or in front of your air conditioning unit.

The library will be closed on July 4 to observe Independence Day.

Need a career change? Let EmployNV help you with aspects of finding a new job on July 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the library.

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival performers stop by the library on July 28 at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the end of the summer reading program with a presentation for all ages.

Pennington Life Center

Stop by the Pennington Life Center in July for the many activities planned for the month.

Plenty of good eats at the Pennington Life Center in July: All are welcome to partake. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays. Cost is $6 for those under age 60 and a suggested donation of $3 for those 60+.

Boots ‘N’ Britches Play Days

Wednesdays, August 16

Location: Fairview Arena (Main Outdoor Arena), 3C Event Complex

The Boots 'n' Britches Play Days are back this summer! All ages are welcome to join in on the fun for our wide variety of events — we offer barrel racing, breakaway roping, figure 8, goat tying, pole bending, and goat tail un-decorating, plus a separate lead line option for youth 7 and under.

Club membership is $25/person or $60/household for the season which includes all six summer dates and puts the participant/s in for awards eligibility. Each added event fee is based on the participant’s age. For additional information and to register visit ChurchillCountyRecreation.org.

Youth Volleyball Camp

Session #2: July 25-27

Location: City-County Gym

The second session of Youth Volleyball Camp is being offered through Churchill County Parks and Recreation.

Learn the fundamentals of volleyball under the direction of Tristin Johnson, youth athletes will develop skills in teamwork and timing. Includes a T-shirt and ball if registered by deadline. Open to girls going into fifth-eighth grade for the 2023-24 school year. The camp fee is $50. For additional information and to register visit ChurchillCountyRecreation.org.

College for Kids

Class schedules dependent on course subject Location: Varies, dependent on course subject.

The Western Nevada College Fallon Campus and Churchill County Parks and Recreation are excited to offer a variety of College for Kids courses this summer! Multiple classes will be offered for a variety of subjects, including Creative Writing, Babysitting Certification, Forensic Science, Jr. Counselor, Jr. Lifeguarding, Gardening, and more.

For additional information and to register visit ChurchillCountyRecreation.org.

Basic Babysitting Course

Session 2: Tuesdays/Thursdays, July 18-20

Creative Writing with Amber

Session 2: Tuesdays/Thursdays, July 18-27 Session 3: Tuesdays/Thursdays, Aug. 1-10

Advanced Babysitting Course

Session 2: Monday, July 24

Dog Obedience Classes

Mondays, beginning July 24

Location: Dry Gulch, 3C Event Complex

There are spaces open in our Puppy and Beginner/Intermediate Sessions of Dog Obedience classes! Dogs will learn how to focus on the owner/handler, how to perform basic commands and basic obedience skills, while owners will learn respect for their pets and how to control them correctly. This is a 6-class session, cost for registration is $70 per dog. Classes begin July 24th. For additional information and to register visit ChurchillCountyRecreation.org.

For information:

Churchill County Parks and Recreation

325 Sheckler Road

ChurchillCountyRecreation.org

775- 423-7733