Community news briefs for week of May 15

Spring Wings

Spring Wings Bird Festival is returning to Fallon on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day with events in downtown Fallon and at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. Stillwater is an avian safe haven for more than 280 species, attracting hundreds of thousands of birds to its sanctuary each year.

Also celebrating World Migratory Bird Day, the event takes place during spring migration for birds through this part of the country. This event began in 1998 as a method of promoting and entertaining locals and visiting bird lovers, growing into one of Nevada’s most beloved wildlife events over the years.

Activities include:

Big Day Birding Competition

Find as many birds as you can on Saturday from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 11:59 p.m. The individual or team who spots the greatest number of species will get their name engraved on the official Spring Wings Big Day Birding Contest trophy and bragging rights until the next festival.

Bird Scavenger Hunt

Find the following list of birds in the Lahontan Valley at http://www.springwingsbirdfest.org/events. Drop off your completed scavenger hunt at Festival Central by 11 a.m. Sunday and enter in a drawing to win a prize.

Spring Wings passports

Pick up a passport at Festival Central. Take your children who are 12 and under on a self-guided tour to each location and get their passport stamped if manned or take a photo.

Plan on going to Stillwater NWR for your last stamp and present completed passport to the refuge staff there for a free ride on an airboat. Boat rides are for children and one parent/guardian.

Stop by Festival Central at Oats Park to meet local experts. You can also pick up the Scavenger Hunt Bird list, area maps and passports. For information, visit www.springwingsbirdfest.org.

Churchill County School District

Churchill County High School graduation will be at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex at 7 p.m.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.

The fairgrounds will not be available for overflow parking.

CCHS Back Parking Lot (Parking Passes only)

CBarR Parking Lot (open to all)

School district upcoming events:

School-to-career

The Churchill County High School. school-to-career program will host a community career fair at the Rafter 3C Arena on Aug. 10 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs should call Sue Segura at 775-790-1139 and register to host a table at the event. Businesses interested in offering students mentorship, internships, apprentice opportunities and scholarships should also contact Segura directly.

About 1,000 attendees are expected.

Grow your own

University of Nevada, Reno Extension is offering free online courses this May to teach gardening basics. Extension's Grow Your Own, Nevada Program will livestream eight classes via Zoom to help Nevadans who want to get on a path to more sustainable, local and healthy living by growing and preserving more of their own food.

“Anyone can become a better gardener by attending these classes,” Heidi Kratsch, Extension horticulture specialist, said. “From the beginner to the advanced gardener, everyone can benefit from a Grow Your Own, Nevada! class.”

The series of workshops will run 6-8 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, through May 25. The workshops will provide gardeners and those interested in growing healthy foods with a back-to-the-basics guide to producing bountiful harvests in Nevada. The topics will include:

May 18: Tips for Success With Fruit Trees – Wendy Hanson Mazet

May 23: Soil Building for Better Plant Health – Heidi Kratsch

May 25: Successful Composting in Nevada – Heidi Kratsch

Registration can be done online at https://extension.unr.edu/program.aspx?ID=2. Residents must register for each class they wish to attend, and the Zoom link will be provided after registration is received. All workshops are free of charge.

Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.edu or 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.

Young Chautauqua program

The Churchill County Museum and instructor Glen Perazzo encourage ages 12-18 to participate in the new Young Chautauqua program. Performers will learn how to bring historical figures to life on stage through theatrical monologue and in full costume.

Meetings are every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the museum, 1050 S. Maine St., in Fallon.

This year’s character theme will focus on Fallon’s historical figures, diversity and families.

For information, call the museum’s education curator Jennifer Jones at 775-423-3677, ext. 1224. Registration forms are available at ccmuseum.org or at the front desk.

Youth awards

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services is seeking nominations for the Youth Serving Veterans Award.

If you know of someone, age 19 or younger, or a group of young people (same age requirement applies) who is making a difference in the lives of veterans or the veterans’ community, now is the time to speak up and nominate them. https://buff.ly/3Zb99Zm

Rotary Club of Fallon

Rotary meets every Tuesday at noon at the Stockman’s Steakhouse. Each meeting usually has a speaker. Guests are welcome.

May 2023

Rotarians at Work Day - date to be determined

May 23: Steve Ranson to talk about the area Vets from WWII

May 30: DARK - Social at Bottle and Brie at 6pm

June 2023

June 6: (Looking for suggested speaker)

June 13: Joy Jumpers, party supply

June 20:(Looking for suggested speaker)

June 24: Golf Tournament

June 22: Daily Bread

June 27: Demotion Dinner

Kindergarten registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year is open.

For information, or to register your child visit: https://bit.ly/ChurchillCSDKindergartenRegistration important notes:

● Per Senate Bill (SB) 102, your child must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 21, the first day of school for kindergarten.

● Legislation may change to require that a child must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1 to attend kindergarten, but we will not know until this new legislation is considered. You may register your child now (if your child will be 5 on or before 8/21), but know that your child may not be able to start kindergarten if legislation changes.

For questions regarding registration, contact Selena Gomes or Debra Shyne by emailing registration@churchillcsd.com or by calling 775-423-5184.

 Kindergarten registration & informational night:

Bring your child with you and register for kindergarten.

There is no need to register if your child is already registered or your child attends Northside Early Learning Center until the end of this school year as your child will automatically roll up.

Important information if registering:

Please bring: your child's state-issued birth certificate, poof of address, a valid ID for parent/guardian, and your child's current immunization record.

To register before this event, visit bit.ly/ChurchillCSDKindergartenRegistration or churchillcsd.com

Cattlemen’s Teacher of the Year

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association has started their annual quest for Teacher of the Year candidates and are asking for your help in soliciting nominations. The deadline for submitting nominations is June 16.

Nominees must be an elementary, junior high, or high school teacher who incorporates agriculture into their regular curriculum. For example, a teacher who teaches a one-week segment on agriculture and its importance to Nevada. Current Agricultural Education teachers are not eligible.

Nominees may also include teachers considered in previous years but were not selected for the award. Nominations must include a completed NCA Teacher-of-the-Year application form and an attached essay describing why the teacher is being nominated.

The winner of this award will receive a $1,000 school supply stipend donated by Nevada Agriculture Foundation. The award recipient will also be recognized during the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association’s annual awards banquet on Nov. 18 in Winnemucca at the Winnemucca Convention Center.

Anyone may submit a nomination form which is available at www.nevadacattlemen.org. For any questions, please contact the NCA office at 775-738-9214. Nominations may be submitted by email to nca@nevadabeef.org with “2023 Teacher of the Year Nomination” in the subject line; forms may be faxed to 775-738-5208; or sent by mail to, “Teacher of the Year Nomination”, C/O Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 310, Elko, NV 89803.

Churchill County Library

Spring is in full swing at the Churchill County Library with a full calendar of fun events for the community. No need to sign-up or preregister, except if noted, so just come on down to the library.

Special events:

Author reading by Michael P. Branch on May 20 at Oats Park Art Center at 5:30 p.m. This event is free to the public and presented in cooperation with the Churchill Library Association and supported by Nevada Humanities.

Learn-to-fly-a-drone workshops: May 24 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.   

Flood insurance

Flood damage is not covered under standard homeowners’, commercial, and renters’ insurance policies. Even when a federal disaster is declared, aid is usually provided in the form of low-interest loans which must be paid back and are likely to only cover a portion of your costs.

Flood insurance can protect your home or business and its contents; providing the added financial assistance you may need to help you recover faster. Keep in mind, there is typically a 30-day waiting period for policies to take effect.

Policies are available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurance companies. More information may be found at https://doi.nv.gov/Consumers/Homeowners-Insurance/Flood-Insurance/