Briefly

Carson City

First lady hosts Arts for CASA auction

The "First Lady's Arts for CASA" Dinner and Auction will be 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Governor's Mansion, 600 N. Mountain St. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $100 per person and are available at casaofcc.org or 882-6776 and at Comma Coffee, 312.S. Carson St.

A highlight of the auction will be a large oil painting of Kit Carson, painted from a photo of Carson taken shortly before his death, by Walter Daniels. The painting took third place at the Nevada Day art show at the Brewery Art Center. It will have a reserve price of $200 but is estimated to be a $1,200 value. Formal attire is requested.

The event is a fundraiser to benefit the children of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Carson City, which helps children in need of adult assistance. Call 882-2935 or 230-9099 for details.

Connected Church meeting this week

Connected Church of the Nazarene will have a prayer meeting 6 p.m. today and church service 10 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot next to its building at 900 Mallory Way, according to Pastor Dave Tatum.

The sanctuary was destroyed in a fire Sunday. The incident is under investigation by police. For updates on the church, check its Web site at www.carsonconnected.org.

Submit holiday memories by Dec. 14

The Nevada Appeal is asking readers to send us their holiday memories. The stories will run in the Appeal in the days leading up to Christmas. They should be true, legibly written, and no longer than 500 words. Include a name and phone number and label them as "holiday memories." Photos that illustrate the stories also will be accepted.

Send memories no later than Dec. 14. You can mail them to us at P.O. Box 1948, Carson City, 89702; drop them off at 580 Mallory Way, e-mail them to editor@nevadaappeal.com, or fax them to 887-2420.

Holiday Hop at senior center on Saturday

The Carson City Senior Citizens Center will celebrate December with a "Holiday Hop" dance 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Music provided by Don and Nadine. Dance lessons provided by Thane Cornell, Ph.D. 6-7 p.m. Cost of the dance is $6 per person. No host bar and refreshments will be served. Call 883-0703.

Virginia City

Tramp miner's life becomes book

The true-life escapades of the late tramp miner Billy Varga, who called himself "the last hard-rock miner," are told in a new book by his wife, Melody Varga Quenemoen, and Kristen Bachler.

Turning their backs on the easy life in Los Angeles , the Vargases hit the road in 1985 and ended up in Virginia City.

The authors will sign their book from noon-3 p.m. Saturday at the Mark Twain Bookstore, 111 S. C St., in Virginia City.