Community briefs

Carson City

Carson City Democrats meet Wednesday

The Carson City Democrats will be meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 709 E. Robinson St., the State of Nevada Employees Association Conference Room, at the corner of Robinson and Roop streets. This month's guest speaker is Supervisor Pete Livermore, discussing the new hospital and other Carson City-related topics.

For information, call 841-3367 or e-mail carsondems@yahoo.com.

Board of Equalization to meet

The Carson City Board of Equalization will meet at 10 a.m. today, in the Sierra Room at the Community Center, 851 William St.

The five members meet after assessment notices are sent out. Whether Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center has to pay taxes on six vacant parcels will be determined by the board during the meeting.

Potential loss to the city is estimated to be approximately $6,700 if the board agrees with the hospital's argument that the nonprofit hospital shouldn't have to pay taxes on vacant parcels.

The issue first came up in 2003.

For information, call 887-2130.

BAC production needs props

The production for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at the Brewery Arts Center desperately needs the following props:

Two straitjackets, preferably without velcro; a fake or broken electroshock machine; a wheeled medical gurney, such as those at morgues; enema stand and equipment; IV stand, wheeled; and a medical table.

All items will be returned. Any person who donates any items for the show will be listed as a contributor in the program. If you wish to donate, call 884-3446 or e-mail always_unique@hotmail.com

National Guard sponsors Lewis and Clark essay contest

The Nevada National Guard is sponsoring the Lewis and Clark Youth Rendezvous essay contest that offers student writers the opportunity to follow the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Rendezvous will be free to 10 contest winners.

This contest is open to all students who are U.S. citizens or legal aliens. The essay must be written in English and be between 1,000-1,500 words on "In your opinion, what military value most describes the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery journey, and why?"

Entries will be accepted through Feb. 28.

For information, go to www.lcyouthrendezvous.com/essay/, or call Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka at 887-7250.

Poetry recitation contest for high schoolers starts

The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation present Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation contest in partnership with the Nevada Arts Council. This is a high-school level contest.

If interested, high schools should contact Gary Margolis at 687-7119 or e-mail gtmargol@clan.lib.nv.us.

Dayton

Dayton freshman collecting cans

If you're stuck with an overload of aluminum beer and soda cans after the Super Bowl party, you can give them to Dayton High freshman Julian Ballatore-South to help her save money to become a People to People student ambassador. She's recycling soda and beer cans to earn money for a trip to China this summer.

Two drop-off points are available in Dayton: Comstock Pizza, on Highway 50 just west of the traffic light; and the Dayton Veterinary hospital on Enterprise Way, just off Highway 50.

For information or to arrange a pick-up, call 246-3870.

Silver City

Silver City youth study anti-tobacco Internet sites

Youth Educating About Tobacco Issues, a Silver City youth tobacco-prevention group, will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Silver City Volunteer Library.

The group will package candy with anti-tobacco-use-prevention messages, watch a video about tobacco, and screen a commercial.

The group is open to youth ages 9 and up.

For information, call 884-4671 or 246-7550.

Reno

Davis Creek pond open for ice-skating

The pond at Davis Creek Park in Washoe Valley is now frozen and open for public ice-skating.

Skating is best in the morning before temperatures rise. The park opens at 8 a.m. every day. The pond is open until 4:30 p.m.

There is a fire pit, and wood is available for skaters who want to warm up.

For information and updates on skating conditions, call 849-0684.

Reno park closed for flood cleanup

Wingfield Park in downtown Reno will be closed over the next three to four weeks to clean up flood damage from the New Year's Eve storm.

Crews will begin work on Friday. Heavy equipment will be brought in to remove sand, rocks and sediment.

Motorists need to be advised that one lane on Arlington will be closed until the cleanup is complete.

There may also be other general traffic impacts until the project is finished.

For information, call 326-6309.