'Pickles' creator to talk at WNCC

Brian Crane, author of "Pickles," is coming to Western Nevada Community College's Marlette Hall at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 for a free lecture.

"Comic Relief," a conversation, illustration and book signing, is the second featured event in Western's 2006-07 Cultural Series: "Faces, Voices & Stories." Crane will discuss how he created the award-winning comic strip and where he drew his inspiration.

Crane moved to Reno from Idaho in 1984 to take an art director position with a local advertising firm. In his free time, he began sketching ideas for a comic strip. In 1990, the Washington Post Writers Group syndicated his "Pickles" comic strip and it has been in publication ever since.

"Pickles" features a modern family that deals with the ups and downs of growing older through the experiences of its main characters, Earl and Opal Pickles.

Crane was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1973 with an art degree. Crane lives near Reno with his wife, Diana, and has seven children and five grandchildren.

Seating is limited. Call 445-3000.

WNCC, hospital to offer nursing information sessions

Western Nevada Community College Yerington, in partnership with South Lyon Medical Center, invites anyone interested in a career as a nurse to attend an information session on the program. The first 45-minute session is for high school students at 2:45 p.m. Thursday at Yerington High School. The second session at the medical center is 6:30-8:30 p.m. and is open to everyone.

Both sessions will include an overview of the nursing profession, a question-and-answer period, informal socializing and an overview of the academic programs and financial aid available at WNCC. Western offers an associate of applied science degree in nursing.

Call (775) 463-2412.

Free Christmas concert to be performed by band

The Capital City Community Band will present a free concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

The band, under the direction of Richard Doede, will perform a variety of music from marches to holiday selections.

The band is an all-volunteer group that rehearses at 7 p.m. Thursdays in the Carson Middle School band room. Members of the band are from Reno, Sparks, Dayton, Minden, Gardnerville, Genoa, Lake Tahoe and Carson City and range in age from 14-80.

Doede began the band so adults could continue making music after graduating from high school or college.

"Community bands and orchestras are really the only performance outlet for the amateur adult musician and music making is for everyone - not just children. That is why community music groups are so important to everyone," he said. "We have a great group of people in the band - everyone has a great time in rehearsals."

For information, call 883-2219.

Railroad Museum to trade rides for toys to benefit Toys for Tots

The Nevada State Railroad Museum will be giving free historic steam train rides to anyone who brings an unwrapped toy donation for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The museum will also remain an official drop-off site for the program though Dec. 17. For information, call 687-6953.