Community briefs

Carson City

BLM camping fees increased

The Bureau of Land Management, Carson City Field Offices, announces the May 13 opening of the BLM campground adjacent to Indian Creek Reservoir in Alpine County.

Fees for camping are being raised to be more in line with comparable facilities in the area and to pay for increased maintenance.

RV/tent single site increased from $15 to $20 per night. Tent-area single sites increased from $11 to $14 per night The sanitary dump station fee went from $5 to $10 per vehicle.

For a complete list, call 885-6107.

Learn to design a bird garden or Bonsai

Greenhouse Garden Center will host two free seminars on April 30.

"How to Design a Bird Garden" will be at 11 a.m. Discussion will include how to turn your garden into a bird sanctuary, regardless of the size of your yard.

"Bonsai Workshop" is at 1 p.m. Create your own bonsai in this hands-on workshop. Bring your own pot and plant, or you may purchase these items at Greenhouse Garden Center before the workshop.

For information, call 882-8600.

Beginning art classes at Children's Museum

Adult art classes for the absolute beginner will be taught Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-8:15 p.m. May 3 through 12.

Classes will be held at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St., in mixed media. Cost is $85 plus cost of supplies.

To enroll, call Melanie Meehan-Crossley at 782-4677 or 720-2799.

Museums celebrate Nevada history

Nevada history becomes family fun when three Carson City museums celebrate Smithsonian Museum Day on April 30.

Hands-on activities at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Nevada State Museum and Children's Museum of Northern Nevada promise a day of entertainment and education for all ages.

The Railroad Museum presents the "Railroading and Mining on the Comstock" program from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Museum guests will also receive a chocolate souvenir coin stamped at the stamping mill. The museum is at 2180 S. Carson St. For information, call 687-8291.

Various family activities will be held from 1-4 p.m. at the State Museum. Visitors will hear prospectors' tales, make rock art stencils, touch some museum artifacts, explore the mining exhibit, and learn about the innovative mining inventions that originated in Nevada during the Comstock era.

Tours will be offered in Spanish and English. The museum is at 600 N. Carson St. For information, call 687-4810, ext. 237.

The Children's Museum will host family activities and railroad crafts from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The museum is at 813 N. Carson St., within walking distance of the State Museum. For information, call 884-2226.

Smithsonian Day admission coupons are available in the current edition of Smithsonian magazine.

For more information on the Department of Cultural Affairs, call Bob 687-8323 or go to NevadaCulture.org.

Minden

Child safety seat checkpoint available

The Ron Wood Family Resource Center will conduct a child safety seat checkpoint from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 at Bently Nevada in Minden.

For information, call Ada DeZerga, 884-2269.

Squaw Valley

Geologist gives talk on Tahoe's ice ages

The last in a series of programs describing how the Sierra Nevada was formed and evolved will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the PlumpJack Conference Center in Squaw Valley. A no-host social hour at 6:30 p.m. precedes the program, which is sponsored by the Squaw Valley Institute.

Geologist Frank DeCourten, the vice president of Sierra College, will present an illustrated talk describing the glacial history of the Tahoe region with emphasis on the modern landforms that originated during the most recent ice age.

During the last 2 million years, the Tahoe region experienced multiple ice ages.

Admission is free; however, a $5 donation would be appreciated.

For more information, call (530) 581-4138 or go to www.squawvalleyinstitute.org.