Briefly

With less than a month before the ball drops and we bid good-bye to 2006, the Nevada Appeal is preparing for one final look back at the stories and events that helped define the year that was and we need your help.

We need you to let us know what stands out in your mind as the most important local and national stories of the past 12 months and why. E-mail your responses to jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-1217 by Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. and then look for the selections in the paper and online at www.nevadaappeal.com Dec. 24.

Carson City

Walton's to hold candle lighting service

Walton's Chapel of the Valley will be holding its annual Remembrance and Candle Lighting Service at 6 p.m. tonight at the chapel, 1281 N. Roop St. The public is invited to come and remember those who have died. Call 882-4965.

Annual Victorian Christmas Tour

The Carson City Historical Society and Carson City Redevelopment are hosting their annual Victorian Christmas Tour from 1-6 p.m. today at 12 locations which will be open for the tour. Cost is $25 for adults, $20 for students 13-18 and for seniors 65 and older, and $5 for children 5-12. Proceeds go to benefit the Roberts House Museums proposed Carriage House. Tickets can be purchased at the Carson City Visitors Bureau at 1900 S. Carson St., at the Greenhouse Garden Center, 22450 S. Curry St. and the Roberts House Museum at 1207 N. Carson from 10 a.m. on the day of the tour. For information, call 882-1805.

Prize-winning poet joins with jazz band

Krista Benjamin will read her poem "Letter from My Ancestors" and other selections from "The Best American Poetry 2006" at the Mile High Jazz Band's free concert 8 p.m. Tuesday at Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson St. Benjamin and other award-winning poets will take turns at the concert, reading a poem before each song.

The Mile High Jazz Band plays at Comma Coffee on the second Tuesday of each month; poets join them every third month. This free event has been funded in part by Krista Benjamin's 2007 Artist Fellowship Award from the Nevada Arts Council.

Call 883-4154, or visit www.MileHighJazz.com.

College to present choral concert

All the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone, and now it's time to prepare for the Christmas season. Take a break from the holiday rush and attend a free choral concert at Western Nevada Community College's Marlette Hall 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The WNCC Concert Choir will perform traditional carols and some new selections as well. "It's an exciting way to start the holiday season," said choir director Bill Zabelsky, who also serves as music director at Douglas High School. Call 445-3000.

Virginia City

Comstock Cowboys at Piper's tonight

David John and the Comstock Cowboys will perform their annual holiday show, "Christmas in the Sierra," at Piper's Opera House tonight.

Shows will be 4 and 7:30 p.m., with proceeds to benefit Piper's Opera House and the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce Events Fund. Tickets are $20 for all general-admission seats. For cash or check orders, call (775) 847-4768. For credit card orders, call (775) 847-0433

Fourth Ward School Museum raising matching funds

The Fourth Ward School Museum in Virginia city has been given a challenge match for $50,000; they need to raise $12,845 to make up the balance by Dec. 31. The museum has raised $37,155 to act as a match and the Foundation for Cultural Affairs has been asked to offer $2,000, provided the museum eliminates the remaining deficit by the end of 2006. All money donated will benefit the museum's endowment fund. Call Barbara Mackey at 847-0975.

Douglas County

Douglas library to hold storytime

The Douglas County Public Library will be holding bedtime stories at 6:45 p.m. Monday at their Minden branch with Miss Carol.

Children may come dressed in pajamas and bring a blanket or favorite stuffed animal.

The Minden branch is at 1625 Library Lane. Call 782-9841.

Senior advisory council, Young at Heart to meet

The Douglas County Senior Services Advisory Council will meet at 8 a.m. Monday at the Douglas County Senior Citizens Center, 2300 Meadow Lane in Gardnerville.

Following that at 9:30 a.m., the Young at Heart Senior Citizens Club Board of Trustees will meet.

Call 783-6455.