Hot times in Carson with sizzling summer music and sweet service

The "Backpack Attack" drive has started as of Aug. 1, and you can help. Bring donations of age-appropriate new backpacks, school supplies and personal hygiene items so children across Northern Nevada who are in foster care, the children-in-transition program, young domestic violence victims and children who have been abruptly removed from their homes in order to protect them from potentially dangerous situations.

In such extremely confusing and emotionally charged situations such as these, children are often required to leave their homes with only the clothes on their back.

This project is organized by Sally Zola, Soroptimist International of Carson City and Platinum Plus Salon and Spa. Their philosophy is simple " children are the world's most valuable resource and our hope for the future.

Experiences, both positive and negative, shape a child's future. Removing a child from a bad situation is very often traumatic by nature and colors a child's view of themselves and the world. As adults, when we become aware of a problem, it is our responsibility to be supportive and do what we can to help.

The goal of the Backpack Attack attempts to provide something positive for children in these situations.

Special thank you to Tim and Brenda Milligan with Capital Ford Mercury, Chick James from Realty Executives and Kummer Kaempfer Law Firm for allowing for backpacks to be dropped off and supporting the children in need.

WHAT: New backpacks for children from 6-18 years old and items for school like paper, pencils, binders, Crayons, color pencils, etc.

WHERE: CARSON CITY: Platinum+ Salon & Spa, 716 N. Carson St., Ste. 110; Kummer Kaempfer Law Firm, 510 W. Fourth St.; Capital Ford Mercury, 3660 S. Carson St.; Realty Executives, 1071 S. Carson St.

RENO: Kummer Kaempfer Law Firm, 5585 Kietzke Lane

WHEN: Aug. 1-29

CONTEST: Every time you drop off a backpack you are entered into a raffle drawing the grand prize is the Spa Package from Platinum+ valued at $250

CONTACT: For more information about this program, please call Sally Zola at (775) 720-5973, or Loretta Roche at (775) 246-7480.

Want to enjoy a cool down from the hot August heat? Here you go. The Mile High jazz band is holding its special outdoor "Hot August Jazz" concert in the courtyard.

The 17-member big band with guest vocalist will entertain with steamy, sultry, and up-tempo jazz tunes for a summer night.

You can dance the night away with your partner as they have special swing dance lessons too. Grab your partner and hit the courtyard at Comma Coffee.

WHAT: Mile High Jazz Band's Hot August Jazz

WHERE: Comma Coffee Courtyard, 312 S. Carson St.

WHEN: 8-10 p.m. Aug. 12

COST: General admission is $5 at the door; $4 for members of the Mile High Jazz Band Association, and free for age 18 and under. Swing Dance lessons 6-7:30 p.m. are $5 additional.

CONTACT: Comma Coffee, call June Joplin at (775) 883-2662 or Mile High Jazz Band, call (775) 883-4154

WEB SITE: www.milehighjazz.com

The Brewery Art Center and the Mile High Band Association is on a roll. They will also be presenting the fifth annual Jazz and Beyond music festival.

Some cool events are planned from the annual BAC's Beer Tasting to a nice mellow jazzy Sunday brunch.

Each includes world-class musicians, dance, and other special events. It kicks off on Friday and goes through the entire weekend. It's a fun tradition of cool jazz, some great micro beers, wine, food and of course a lot of music to soothe the soul.

WHAT: Jazz and Beyond '08

More than 20 microbrews from the area's best and most popular brew pubs will be served, wine tasting and Sunday brunch

WHERE: Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St.

WHEN: Aug. 15-17

COST: To purchase tickets to the festival, call (775) 883-1976 or visit www.breweryarts.org.

Thank goodness for Ellie and the Strings in the Summer program. It is a tuition-free program thanks to the Carson City Symphony Association, and the Symphony funds and administers it.

Wow! Now that is very exciting and participants do not pay museum admission. They hold classes in the morning before the museum is open to the public. The Symphony Association also pays rent for space in the museum for the classes. However the students have to already have some basic instruction in string instruments to qualify.

Carson City students in grades 2-5 can register for the symphony's beginning violin classes in the fall.

If you want to see how far some of the students have advanced, check out the free concert. If you have a child that is musically inclined, I would definitely check this free program out.

WHAT: Strings in the Summer free concert

WHERE: Carson Mall

WHEN: 10 am. Wednesday

- To have your information included, contact Kim Riggs at kimriggs@att.net.