Community briefs for April 18

Earth Day celebrated at garden shop

USDA Rural Development and its renewable energy partners announce an Earth Day celebration and renewable energy learning event noon-2 p.m. Friday at Dry Creek Garden Company, 100 Highway 395 in north Washoe Valley.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, nine Northern Nevada businesses and organizations committed to energy efficiency, renewable energy and resource conservation are joining together to demonstrate opportunities for saving both energy and money. Hands-on activities will be available for students, businesses and homeowners interested in exploring energy savings.

Also on the agenda is the official unveiling of the Dry Creek Garden Co. windmill, a 2400-watt skystream wind turbine funded by owner contributions, a Rural Energy for America Program grant from USDA Rural Development, and NV Energy's Renewable Generations rebate program.

USDA Rural Development will also announce 2010 grant and loan funding available through REAP, designed to assist farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.

The learning event will be accompanied by live music from Tim Snider, and attendees will receive a free green roof plant from Go Green Roofs.

For more information, call 887-1222.

Nursery in Washoe Valley opening for plant sales

The Nevada Division of Forestry State Tree Nursery in Washoe Valley is opening for the season May 13. The nursery is open

8 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday until Oct. 16.

The nursery is designed to assist landowners by providing plant material suitable for conservation uses such as, but not limited to, windbreaks, soil erosion control, water conservation and wildlife habitats. Plants purchased at the Washoe Nursery must be used for conservation purposes as provided for by NRS 528.105.

The plants are all grown and maintained at the nursery and are conditioned to survive Northern Nevada's cold winters and hot summers.

Plants will be available on a first-come first-served basis. For a list of available species, call the nursery at 849-0213. For the nursery policy and plant list, go to www.forestry.nv.gov. Most species are available in D-pots for $2.25 and T-pots for $3.50.

There will be experts onsite May 13-15 to answer technical questions about windbreak construction, pest and disease identification, fire-safe landscaping and general planting practices.

The nursery is in Washoe Valley at 885 Eastlake Boulevard.

Doppelgangers opening Tap Room May 1

Doppelgangers is adding a new eating area, dubbed the Tap Room, which will open on May 1.

The downtown Carson City establishment, 302 N. Carson St., which includes a restaurant, brewery and night club, is opening the rebranded area in an attempt to cater to a casual dining clientele, said Catherine Oaks, a marketer for the restaurant.

The eatery will be located near the Curry Street entrance.

The grand opening event on May 1 will last from 11 a.m. to

11 p.m. and will feature Bob and Bender of KBUL Radio broadcasting live from the patio.