Community briefs

There will be no regular mail service or retail service at United States Post Office locations Tuesday, due to an Executive Order issued by President Bush, directing government agencies to close as a mark of respect for former President Gerald Ford, who died Dec. 26. Express Mail deliveries will be made on Tuesday. Regular service will resume Wednesday.

Carson City

Positive Energy to hold New Year's Eve Sleepover for kids

Children aged 5 and over are invited to Positive Energy, Acrobatics and Dance Studio for a New Year's Eve Sleepover Party that includes dinner, snacks and breakfast. For information, call 884-3633.

Pioneer Family Dance to be held for New Year's

Pioneer Family Dance contra dance will hold their annual New Year's Eve Dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31 at the Brewery Arts Center Ballroom. Cost is $15 for adults, $12 in advance at www.nevadamusic.com. Children are $6. For information, call 883-9351.

Genoa Bar plans New Year's party

The Genoa Bar's annual "New Year's Eve Unplugged" begins 10 p.m. Sunday. The Genoa Jazz Club will be playing music from Patsy Cline, Nora Jones, Maria Muldair and more. The lights go off with live music, oil lamps and candles glowing at the old saloon. A complimentary champagne toast will be at midnight. No cover charge at Genoa Bar. Call 782-3870.

Reno

Reno Philharmonic to play Grieg concerto

Nineteen-year-old pianist Rachel Naomi Kudo is the featured soloist for the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra's Master Classics 4 concert Sunday, Jan. 14 and Tuesday, Jan. 16. She will perform Edvard Grieg's "Piano Concerto" to celebrate the work's 100th anniversary.

In 2004, Kudo was named a Davidson Fellow Laureate and received a $50,000 scholarship from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development - a national non-profit foundation based in Reno . The Institute is underwriting Kudo's Reno performance.

The January concerts will celebrate the Martin Luther King weekend with Scherzo from Afro-American Symphony by William Grant Still. Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 also will be performed.

Tickets start at $24. See www.renophilharmonic.com or call 323-6393.

Washoe County parks looking for Junior Snow Rangers

Children ages 6-14 can sign up for Washoe County's Junior Snow Ranger program. This program is a free do-it-yourself winter nature adventure with self-guided hikes and activities designed to help children learn more about nature in the winter and how to cope with winter weather. To get started, pick up a booklet from rangers at Lazy 5, Rancho San Rafael, Bartley Ranch, Bowers Mansion, Davis Creek or Galena Creek Regional parks. Once the booklet has been completed, children meet with a ranger to talk about what they've learned. Participants who complete their booklet by March 31 will receive a Junior Snow Ranger certificate and an invitation to the special End of Winter Party. To have a booklet mailed to you, call 828-6612.

RTC offers free RIDE service on New Year's Eve

In an effort to curb drinking and driving, RTC in Washoe County is offering free service on 17 of it's most popular routes from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. New Year's Eve. This service is only available within the Reno area. For information, call 348-RIDE.