On October 24th, I participated in a great Zambia tradition and celebration-Independence Day. Like Independence Day celebrations in the states, festivities usually take place outdoors with music and food. However, the traditional Zambian Independence Day makes me wish that America's took place during the school year, when all students could participate in traditional ceremonies.
LOVELOCK - There is an epidemic of sorts sweeping across America's farmland. It has little to do with the usual challenges, like drought, rising fuel and feed prices or crop-eating pests. The country's farmers and ranchers are getting older and there are fewer people standing in line to take their place.
LOVELOCK - The Extreme Tour came and went in a whirlwind of competitions. On Oct. 30 the skateboard and bike competitions were held at the Lovelock Skate Park.
CARSON CITY - NV Energy is the power source for electricity in homes throughout Nevada. Now, the company is empowering Western Nevada College students with two new learning tools. A $23,000 grant from NV Energy has enabled WNC to launch a new student assistance program, and also allowed it to purchase a mobile industrial electrical wiring learning system for Applied Industrial Technology students, usable throughout WNC's seven-county service area.
Carson City, Nev. - Southwest Gas is your energy partner throughout the year and especially during the cold weather when natural gas provides warmth and comfort. As a highly efficient form of energy and the cleanest fossil fuel, natural gas is greener than you think.
CARSON CITY - The fourth annual Great Basin Water Forum hosted by the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority will present the latest information and discussions on a critical question to the West's economic future, valued quality of life and natural environment: "How can Nevada, Utah and California address the significant imbalance between identified sustainable water supply and projected population growth?"
LOVELOCK - Pershing County High School physics students took a break recently from the modern world to compete medieval-style using antiquated tools of battle. Competitors demonstrated their home-built catapults and trebuchets by hurling pumpkins skyward with some projectiles accurately smashing targets placed on the football field.
CARSON CITY - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District, began selling Christmas tree cutting permits as of Nov. 15. The permits allow cutting a pinyon pine or juniper tree on designated BLM lands primarily in the Pinenut Mountains between Carson City and Yerington, the Clan Alpine and Desatoya mountains east of Fallon, and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne. Maps and directions are available with permit purchase. The cost per permit is $5.
LOVELOCK - On Nov. 17, Pastor Kathy Jakolat of Grace St. Francis Community Church is offering a two-hour workshop on managing stress through the holidays. It will be held in the education building behind the church at 10 a.m.
LOVELOCK - The Pershing County High School Choir and Symphonic Band started this year's musical début with a highly entertaining Halloween Concert. There were screams and shrieks from the stage and audience as well.
LOVELOCK - Bands of "wild" horses were a frequent sight from the road as rancher Dan Duncan and his wife Joan surveyed their grazing allotment in the drought-parched hills of Rochester Canyon last Saturday. Duncan said the horses are consuming the meager forage and water supplies needed to sustain his livestock through the winter.
CARSON CITY - The Bureau of Land Management, Carson City District, Stillwater Field Office concluded the Wassuk Wild Horse Gather on Nov. 12. The preliminary numbers of animals gathered were 457 wild horses. Because of poor body condition of the majority of the gathered horses, along with impacts of overpopulation and drought, the horses planned to be released back to the range, including mares planned to be vaccinated with fertility control, were instead removed.
LOVELOCK - Wood-cutting permits for open cutting areas in Humboldt and Pershing counties are available at the Bureau of Land Management office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd. in Winnemucca, and at the Pershing County Farm Service Agency, 110 American Blvd in Lovelock,
LOVELOCK - The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in Pershing County will be offering an Agronomy/Pesticide CEU meeting at the Pershing County Community Center on Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. - 12 noon.
OGDEN, Utah - Intermountain Regional Forester Harv Forsgren announced that William "Bill" Dunkelberger will serve as the supervisor for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Dunkelberger will have the responsibility for managing 6.3 million acres in Nevada and eastern California.