Community Briefly Sept. 9

Hopefest tonight will raise funds for local cancer patients

Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Foundation is inviting the public to Hopefest, a community fundraiser in honor of the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center's fifth anniversary, that will feature food and live music.

The event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today on the grounds of the Cancer Center, on the Carson Tahoe Medical Campus. All proceeds from Hopefest will directly support local cancer patients.

For more information call 775-445-5161 or visit www.carsontahoe.com.

Car wash at NSP to benefit young boy

A car wash will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Nevada State Prison to raise funds for teacher Karin Randle's grandson Austin York.

Austin was born with an abnormal heart defect and had to have open-heart surgery within the first five days of his life, said organizer Chantelle Ewing.

"He is doing well now, but continues to need special care and future surgeries with no insurance coverage," she said.

Cost is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call 684-3007.

Free legal assistance available to seniors

Nevada Legal Services will be providing legal assistance on the second Wednesday of each month to Carson City residents 60 years of age or older at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Drive.

Attorney Carrie Henrichsen will be available Wednesday to counsel and advise on a wide range of legal matters to include housing and eviction defense, consumer issues, elder abuse, and benefits programs. Nevada Legal Services will also be able to assist with document preparation such as simple wills, advance health directives and powers of attorney.

Nevada Legal Services is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to Nevada seniors and aims to ensure fairness and providing equal access to justice for low-income Nevadans.

Appointments are necessary. To schedule an appointment, contact Debe Hays-Vaughn with Nevada Legal Services at 883-0404, ext. 312.

Fleet association to hold annual picnic

The Fleet Reserve Association will be hold its annual picnic on Saturday at the James Lee Park in Indian Hills.

It will be a day for feasting and games starting at 10 a.m. Members, prospective members and their families are all invited. We hope to have lots of food and sea stories for everyone.

Walkabout focuses on community concerns

Carson City Supervisor Karen Abowd hosts her monthly walkabout at noon today. She invites all members of the community to meet her at noon at the steps of the Community Center at Mills Park. The walk will last one hour, and folks are invited to take a lunch.

"This is my way of staying in touch with peoples' concerns and ideas for ways to improve and grow Carson City," Abowd said. "Doing this also allows everyone to be part of the process of governing and to take ownership of the community."

All topics are open for discussion, including ways to expand the local economy, tourism, the development of the City Center Project and other current events.

In light of Tuesday's shootings at the IHOP restaurant in Carson City, Abowd says there also are concerns and input from people that may need to be addressed.

"This event has impacted our town in ways we have yet to fully understand," she said. "Starting the conversation is one step toward healing."

Silver Saddle Ranch site of two tours on Saturday

Nancy Santos will lead a birding tour starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Silver Saddle Ranch, and Mike Drews will lead a tour of historic buildings and sites at the ranch at 9 a.m. The birding tour meets at the Red House to begin an easy, level walk around the fields of Silver Saddle Ranch to identify bird species are in the area. With the fall migration period just beginning, non-native species should be around to identify. Birders of all levels are welcome, and Santos will show novice bird watchers how to identify various bird species. RSVP by calling Santos at 884-1570 or email nancyfossr@att.net.

Join Drews for a tour of historic buildings and sites at Silver Saddle Ranch. Archaeological sites include an early 1900s mining camp and remains of a ditch tender's house associated with the operation of the Mexican Ditch during the 1880s. Ranch structures and associated features reflect the daily life and architecture associated with a working ranch between 1920 and 1960. RSVP with Drews at 560-5074 or archeomike@aol.com.

After the tours, snacks in the Red House will be provided by the Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch.

Robey Willis to be honored at evening event

The Ron Wood Family Resource Center will hold its Third Annual Community Leader of the Year Celebration and Benefit from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 17 at Empire Ranch Golf Course.

This year, the center will pay tribute to the Honorable Robey Willis for his years of community service and dedication to the youth and families of the community. The event will feature celebrity servers and auctioneer, wine tasting, hors d'oeurves and music. Tickets are $50 per person.

The event will also be a fundraiser for many services that directly benefit families in need. Donations are being sought for the raffle and auction.

To donate or for tickets or more information, call Joyce Buckingham at 884-2269.