Community briefs

Carson City

Gates foundation grants available to Nevada libraries

Nevada libraries are eligible to receive part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's $8.3 million in grants to help public libraries in 10 states provide free, quality access to computers and the Internet.

The new "Opportunity Online" hardware grants are for public libraries serving communities with high concentrations of poverty and that are at risk of having outdated technology.

Libraries must provide matching funds to be eligible for the grants.

These grants are expected to be the last round given by the foundation to support libraries with vulnerable technology in U.S. libraries.

Nevada libraries in Carson City, Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Lander, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing and White Pine counties are eligible to share $169,155 of the foundation grant funds but are required to provide a match of approximately $85,000.

Toys for Tots donations collected at weekend Steam Up

Thanksgiving Weekend Steam Up and Annual Toys for Tots Drive 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Fares are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for kids ages 6 to 11. Children younger than age 5 are free.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St., is an official drop-off location for Toys for Tots. Call 687-6953.

Lake Tahoe

Choral and symphonic arts group seeks singers

TOCCATA, Lake Tahoe's new choral and symphonic arts organization, is recruiting for its third Epiphany and Holy Week concert series. TOCCATA is preparing its annual productions of Handel's masterpiece "Messiah" for performances in Incline Village, Reno, and South Lake Tahoe, as well as a Basically Barocco concert series in late January and Holy Week performances of Bach's "St. Matthew Passion."

Experienced choral singers from the Reno-Tahoe-Carson Valley areas are invited to contact Eileen Angelucci for audition information at 267-1720.

Country singer Tracy Lawrence at MontBleu

Country music star Tracy Lawrence will appear at the MontBleu Casino in Stateline 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $35 plus tax at 588-3515.

Lawrence won the top new male vocalist award in 1993 and has had 17 No. 1 hits and most recently released "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," which was No. 1 on the play lists.

Reno

Ray Charles tribute at Atlantis

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa welcomes "Genius - A Tribute to the Legendary Ray Charles" Friday and Saturday in the Atlantis Grand Ballroom. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7. Tickets are $29 in advance, and $34 the day of the show, plus applicable taxes. Tickets are at the Atlantis Gift Shop, or at 824-4467. Must be 21.