Boettcher family's 'Extreme Makeover' scheduled to air March 16

The Boettcher family, recipients of January's "Extreme Makeover" in Stagecoach, will join West Haven Development Group and hundreds of other sponsors and volunteers during the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" viewing party March 16 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno.

The public is invited to the St. Patrick's Day-themed event, including a $10 public Bowl-A-Thon from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting the Boettcher Family Project Fund.

For $20, patrons can join in the viewing party excitement from 6:30-9 p.m. and the Stadium's Cue and Cushion will serve a variety of food and beverages, including green beer in honor of the Irish holiday, with a portion of the sales going toward the Boettcher Family Project Fund.

The Boettcher's episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will be shown at 8 p.m. on all 78 screens at the National Bowling Stadium, after a viewing of West Haven's behind-the-scenes DVD.

RSVPs are encouraged as tickets are limited. Please respond to Cynthia@westhavendg.com or by calling 850-7999, ext. 306.

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Eight Carson City students participated in the Reno Youth Piano Festival held this year at the Music Department of University of Nevada. Nearly 110 students from Northern Nevada and California took part in Lower Division Festival during the weekend of March 1-2.

To qualify for the festival each student prepares two selections from a required repertoire list. Their performances are critiqued by three adjudicators who listen to such things as accuracy, style and character of the piece, careful attention to rhythms and melody, dynamics, balance between hands, and overall musicianship.

Piano instructors, Mrs. Louise Hogen and Mrs. Shirley Bierman presented Emma Breeding, Katy Breeding, Henry Sturm, Katie Berger, Zoey Gray, Amanda Yau, Makenzie Tucker and Sarah Sever at the festival.

Students also received a rating for their individual performance. Those who earned the rating of "superior" were invited to participate at a Command Performance held on March 6 at the Steinway Piano Store in Reno.

Henry Sturm, Katie Berger, Zoey Gray, Amanda Yau, Makenzie Tucker and Sarah Sever were asked to participate in the command performance.

"Festival causes these youngsters to grow in their listening skills, to explore new pianist colors and to stretch their musicianship. Even at these earlier levels, they exhibit a great deal of poise and confidence in their playing," said Hogen, who brought six students to the festival.

"What impresses me about these young pianists," says Bierman, "is the incredible amount of hard work and dedication it takes to polish their pieces to this degree of refinement. Their playing is quite amazing for students this age.

"Besides, I hear them say they love to participate and can't wait until next year's festival."