Every once in a while, I see newspapers or websites that promise to only deliver good news instead of the daily mix of good and bad (okay, yes, maybe the daily mix is often a bit heavier on the negative coverage), and I usually say, “Meh.” As anyone who knows me personally can attest, "cheery" is one of the very last adjectives that would ever be used to describe me. And yet I think this week is a good time to use this space to highlight some of the positive and community-building efforts taking place in the larger Carson area. With that in mind, I hereby present … Five Pieces of Good Carson News. Photo at left: Wikimedia Commons, BLM Nevada.
Item #1. You know how the building that houses the Nevada State Museum used to be the Carson City Mint, right? Well, beginning back at the end of October and continuing on through the end of December, it’s back in the business of minting coins, or at least commemorative medals, with a special design that honors the efforts of Nevada health care workers during the current health crisis. They are being minted on Coin Press No. 1, the first coin press to operate at the Carson City Mint, and being sold in a fundraising effort to benefit a COVID-19 relief fund. Photo at right: Wikimedia Commons, Scott Schrantz.
Item #2. In celebration of national Native American Heritage Month, the Atrium Gallery at Western Nevada College hosts an exhibit on the history and artwork of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. It includes historic photos provided by the Tribe exploring the cultural connection of the area’s indigenous peoples with the land. The gallery is open on weekdays with social distancing protocols in place, and WNC also plans to host additional events to celebrate the month.
Item #3. The Max Casino is the location of the annual Turkey Drop hosted by the Salvation Army to gather donations of Thanksgiving turkeys for local families in need. It takes place all day long on Friday, November 20, and if you want to donate but can’t make it to the event, donations can be accepted at the Salvation Army office at 911 E. Second Street in Carson City.
Item #4. This one’s for you train and railroad enthusiasts out there. Beginning on November 27, check out the V&T Candy Cane Express. Take a 50-minute ride on the old Virginia & Truckee railroad route, enjoy seasonal treats and experience an overall old-timey holiday journey. There’s also the 40-minute Train O’ Lights ride, with a narrated steam-train trek to Gold Hill, also starting up on the 27th. Photo at left: Wikimedia Commons, Drew Jacksich.
Item #5. If you don’t know that I like history, then you haven’t been paying attention to this space over the past year. So it’s really nice to be able to congratulate the Douglas County Historical Society in Gardnerville for being selected by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce for a 2020 Community Recognition Award in the category of Non-Profit. Information on winners in the other categories is available at the Chamber website, and here’s an insider tip for you: They weren’t able to hold their normal silent auction at the awards this year, so instead they are holding a raffle and you still have time to get tickets. Check out the website for the raffle prizes up for grabs.
So here’s to those folks out there who are doing good work and are working to do good. Thanks for making the Carson area such a great place.
About the Author Keith Rugg
R. Keith Rugg has worked on staff for a number of local publications, including Lake Tahoe Action Magazine, the Tahoe Daily Tribune and the Reno Gazette-Journal.
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