Community Briefly July 28

Driving classes open at WNC

Western Nevada College has driver education classes available Monday-Thursday, Aug. 1-4, Aug. 8-11 and Aug.15-18. This 30-hour class meets the NRS requirements to obtain a Nevada driver's license for new drivers under the age of 18. The class uses lectures, interactive CDs, videos and driving simulators to cover Nevada driving regulations, basic vehicle control and unusual situations.

The class is open to all individuals 15 years of age and older. Visit www.wnc.edu/drivereducation/ or call 445-4458 for more information.

Help needed with annual Backpack Attack

Soroptimist of Carson City and Platinum Plus Salon and Spa are again hosting the Backpack Attack program to provide backpacks, school supplies and hygiene items to children in need.

Children need backpacks and items such as crayons, wide-ruled notebook paper, three- or five-subject wide-ruled notebooks, three-ring binders, pocket-only folders, pencil boxes or bags, red, blue and black medium ballpoint pens, No. 2 pencils, erasers, glue sticks, blunt-nosed scissors, yellow highlighters, rulers, pencil sharpeners, 3x5 ruled index cards and protractors.

Many of these children have been removed from their homes and need hygiene supplies such as bar soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and small tissue packages. Any of these items will help and will be packed in the backpacks.

A free raffle ticket for a chance to win a spa package valued at $250 from the salon, plus a number of other raffle prizes, will be awarded for each backpack donated.

Drop-off locations, where raffle tickets can also be purchased, are:

• Platinum Plus, 716 N. Carson St., Suite 110

• Carson City Toyota Scion, 2590 S. Carson St.

• Marilyn Lewis State Farm Insurance, 321 W. Winnie Lane

• Coldwell Banker Best Sellers, 123 W. Second St.

• Navy Recruitment Office, 3246 N. Carson St., Suite 123

School starts Aug. 22 this year in Carson City, so it is important to get the backpacks to the children before that time.

For more information, call Pat Riggs at 885-7784, Dixie Busch at 882-3051 or Jesse Keller at 246-0557.

Building supplies needed for October haunted house

Jason and Christina Stinson, who operated a haunted house last year at their home at the corner of Broadleaf and Northgate in Carson City, say they're planning to make this year's event even bigger and better.

The couple has already begun working on the haunted house to help the homeless through gently used clothing and canned food donations from those who attend, but they need help with supplies to finish up the construction.

Anyone who would like to help can call 445-9477 to find out what supplies are needed.

Fifth annual community drive for school supplies

Bauter & Holmes is sponsoring the fifth annual community school supply drive. Donations can be dropped off at the Bauter & Holmes office, 525 W. Washington St., through Aug. 17. Their hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Supplies needed include pens, pencils, paper, facial tissue, hand sanitizer, etc. Monetary donations are also accepted and appreciated. Bauter & Holmes will match a percentage of the amount donated.

Interfaith picnic to benefit charities

Interfaith picnic will gather noon-5 p.m. Sunday in Mills Park with members and clergy of at least 11 faiths coming together to help those less fortunate. The program start at 1 p.m.

Diverse clergy will speak briefly on the values of treating others as we would want to be treated, or why it is important to help others, as taught by their faith tradition. There will be a variety of non-denominational music and a "peace cake."

Bring your own picnic, outdoor games, and at least one food item for F.I.S.H., the local food bank. The goal is at least 1,000 items. There will also be raffles for gift baskets in support of Carson City Animal Services, the Wildland Fuel Reduction Project, and Heifer International, with 100 percent of the raffle proceeds going to the charities.

The event will take place in Mills Park, Pavilions B and C. Enter from Saliman Road.

Participating congregations include First United Methodist Church of Carson City, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Unity of the Sierra, Universal Society of Hinduism, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Temple Bat Yam, Northern Nevada Muslim Community Center, Reno Buddhist Center, St. Gall Catholic Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Family, Baha'i Faith of Carson City, Center for Spiritual Living in Carson City and Padma Rigdzin Ling Buddhist Center.

Raiders club holding membership drive

The Carson City Raiders Booster Club is holding its annual membership drive and picnic begnning at 10 a.m. Sunday at Washoe Lake State Park. Membership is $40 per family, $30 per single and $20 for those living more than 100 miles from Carson City. The picnic is free for members. Non-members are welcome to attend for $15 per family or $5 per person.

The club will supply burgers, hot dogs, soda and water. Bring a side dish to share and RSVP to Joyce at JKCabello@sbcglobal.net or 775-246-4662.

Storey County to celebrate National Night Out

The Storey County Sheriff's Office will be host the county's first National Night Out event 7-10 p.m. Aug. 2 at Miners Park in Virginia City and the River District at Louise Peri Park in Lockwood.

National Night Out, established 28 years ago, is a time to come out as a family and meet neighbors.

Attractions will include music, local businesses, community groups, exhibitions, home safety tips, personal safety help, bicycle safety, giveaways, firetruck, police vehicles, community resource information and senior awareness program. Participating organizations include the Storey County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department, Victims' Services, Jeep Posse, the Community Chest, the Senior Centers, and local businesses.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime prevention, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

For information, contact Deputy John-Michael Mendoza at 775-847-0960 or jmendoza@storeycounty.org.

Children's books to be distributed in Silver Springs

EyeC Books is sponsoring a book drive to benefit Silver Springs families and children 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 6.

This event has two purposes: to distribute books to families and children and to collect books to continue this effort.

Bring book donations to Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, 1550 Ramsey Weeks Cutoff, Silver Springs. For more information, call 775-230-9600 and leave a message or e-mail cmeread@eyecbooks.com.

EyeC Books expects to give away more than 100 packets of free children's books.

Vouchers have been left with to the FISH store in Dayton, businesses, churches and the welfare office in Silver Springs , and Child and Family Services in Fernley to distribute to families in need. The vouchers can be brought to the Aug. 6 event and exchanged for a bundle of five books. Children can also pick up vouchers at the event. Books will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

EyeC Books has already distributed many books to families and children. Visit the website at www.eyecbooks.com.

Applications sought for volunteer positions

The Carson City Board of Supervisors is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on the Board of Appeals in the following categories:

• Civil/structural engineer

• Mechanical engineer

• Electrical engineer

• Registered architect

Applicants may need a business license to do business in Carson City. The board provides advice on matters involving building codes and fire codes in Carson City. Each position is for a two-year term set to expire in January 2013 excluding the registered architect position, which will expire in January 2012.

Serving on the board may require a minimum commitment of up to five hours a month. All members will serve without compensation. The Board of Supervisors will interview and appoint new members. Volunteer applications may be obtained from the city website at www.carson.org or by contacting the Carson City Executive Offices at 887-2100. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Aug. 12.