Community briefs

Carson City

Carson City Symphony announces assistant conductor position

The Board of Trustees of the Carson City Symphony Association announces a vacancy in the position of Assistant Conductor for the Carson City Symphony for the 2005-06 concert season. The Symphony, conducted by David Bugli, is a community orchestra made up of talented amateur and volunteer professional musicians. Chris Ruzin, assistant conductor for the current season, is leaving the area.

The Assistant Conductor has the following responsibilities:

Attend rehearsals and performances. Conduct the Symphony in one or more pieces on a minimum of two concerts each season.

Lead a section or assist at sectional rehearsals at the discretion of the conductor.

Conduct rehearsals or performance if the conductor is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable.

The assistant conductor also may be asked to help select repertoire and make other suggestions to achieve the goals of the organization. For information on this volunteer position, contact the symphony at 883-4154.

New mentor orientation training on Thursday

The Mentor Center of Western Nevada will be hosting training for people interested in becoming mentors.

Spending a minimum of one hour a week with a young person can change two lives - theirs and yours. Attend the three-hour training session from 6-9 p.m. Thursday. Sandwiches will be provided; all training will be held at the Reynolds Building, Room 102 on the Western Nevada Community College Campus.

For information, call the Mentor Center at 445-3346.

Poppies pay tribute to America's war dead

American Legion Auxiliary members will distribute familiar red, handcrafted poppies honoring America's war dead during the month of May, designated Poppy Month, by Auxiliary Unit 4 in Carson City.

Planned to coincide with Memorial Day, the annual event pays tribute to veterans who have died in the last 80 years. It also honors the millions of Americans who have willingly served their country in eight decades.

All proceeds from the distribution are invested in local programs for the benefit of veterans and their families. The memorial poppy is never sold, but is given in exchange for a contribution.

For information, call Twylah Ayarbe at 882-1681 or Mary Anne Jennings at 882-5196.

Arts & crafters invited to join 'Basically Basie' 2005 Jazz Festival

The Brewery Arts Center and Mile High Jazz Band invite arts and crafters and food vendors to join the three-day "Basically Basie" 2005 Jazz Festival, Friday to Sunday, Aug. 19-21, at the arts center in Carson City. The festival is open to all, admission is free. Events will include three big bands and many combos. For booth-rental information, call 883-4154 or e-mail mhjb@milehighjazz.com.

Birding trip slated for Silver Saddle Ranch

Lahontan Audubon Society and Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch are sponsoring a birding trip at Silver Saddle Ranch in Carson City at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Spend the morning exploring the ranch for birds and learning a little about the ranch history. A diverse number of bird species can be observed in varied habitat including sagebrush, agricultural lands and a riparian corridor adjacent to the Carson River.

All levels of birders are welcome, including beginning birders.

The trip is free and open to the public. Register with leader Nancy Bish at 884-1570 or n.bish@att.net.

Douglas County

Join Dragon Slayers for Game Day on Friday

The Douglas County Public Library Teen Advisory Board, known as the Dragon Slayers, invites you to attend a Teen Game Day from 4-7 p.m. Friday in the Minden Library meeting room. Pizza and soda will be provided. Teen Game Day is sponsored by the Dragon Slayers and the Friends of the Douglas County Public Library. For information, call 782-9841.