the greenhouse project

With the New Year upon us let me begin this document by wishing you and yours a Happy New Year. May the year 2016 bring peace and happiness to each and every one of you.

This New Year will be a busy one for Carson City. Foremost on our minds, perhaps, is the Downtown Street Narrowing Project due to begin early February/March depending on weather conditions. One of the goals stated by Carson City staff is to have this project complete in time for the Nevada Day parade. We should, however, keep our chief consideration foremost: “Let's do it Right.”

Whenever I go to The Greenhouse Project at Carson High School in Carson City, I learn something new. This week it was about which kinds of beneficial insects work best in a greenhouse at this time of year. Pests can be a constant challenge in the optimum environment of a greenhouse.

This week's edition of It's Your City with host Cortney Bloomer welcomes guest Karen Abowd, Ward 1 Supervisor for Carson City. Among the topics discussed in this Christmas edition is a new project coming to Carson City called the Harvest Hub.

Last week I spoke with Cory, The Greenhouse Project manager about aging apple trees at his house that an arborist suggested he cut down and replace with dwarf varieties.

Although the apples have always been fruitful, the arborist thinks these trees are almost at the end of their productive years. Cutting down these old, yet healthy, trees may be acceptable from the standpoint of apple production, but since they also serve as shade trees, they would be a great loss in the overall landscape.

It’s that time of year again, when sponsors are sought to support the Celebrity Chef and Harvest Dinner, hosted by Cafe at Adele’s in Carson City and now in its sixth year.

A major donor, (composed of one donor or many) for the amount of $5,000 is still needed. The $5,000 match is collected through donations both large and small, by dinner patrons.

After the Friday wind and rain, we are supposed to see some clear skies: but don’t quote me on that. You know how the weather here can be. The Third and Curry Farmers Market vendors are tough, though, so your weekly dose of fresh produce will be waiting for you either way. Don’t miss the autumn plant sale at the Greenhouse Project booth. The Carson City Historical Society hosts their second yard sale of the season at the historic Forman-Roberts House on North Carson Street, so have fun treasure hunting.

SATURDAY: Jazz and Beyond

• Ascent Runs: Genoa Peaks Mad-A-Thon: Ultra 55K; Marathon 26.2M, Half-Marathon 13.1M -Begins at Nixon Park in Genoa (6am; all runners must check-in)
• Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks

If Wednesday night’s Concert under the Stars in Carson City with Ambrosia and Pablo Cruise was anything else other than a spectacular rock and roll fundraiser for the Greenhouse Project, it was also where new and old friends came together from places far and wide to celebrate.

It’s a great day for music in Carson City. The Annual Concert Under the Stars at Adele’s is already sold out, but there are still options if you didn't get a ticket. Tonight, check out the Jazz Jam at Sassafras with Rick Metz’ First Take, or bring an instrument to the Jam with Josh and Janera at the Firkin and Fox. Glen Eagles features Terri and Craig in the lounge for some, and you’ll find Lynne and Mick at Living the Good Life for dinner entertainment. Kick up your cowboy boots at Line Dancing lessons in the Eleventh Frame Lounge at Carson Lanes.

WEDNESDAY:

• Free Swim with proof of social media ‘Check-in’ at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm; outdoor pools only)
• NAA Exhibit by artist Nancy Clark at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

Today is your opportunity to vote on July 4 holiday photos submitted by Carson Now readers. Click on the links below and hit the "like" button to vote. The top three photo entries collecting the most Facebook "likes" by Monday, 5 p.m. will each receive two free tickets to the sold-out Concert Under The Stars featuring Ambrosia and Pablo Cruise on Wednesday. The concert is a benefit for the Greenhouse Project.

Part of the fun each year at Concert Under the Stars, A benefit for The Greenhouse Project, is the live auction. The generosity of the community by and through the donations of ever-changing and diverse packages, means there is something for everyone. And of course, the community’s willingness to bid and support the ongoing work of The Greenhouse Project, completes the circle.

History will be made when Pablo Cruise and Ambrosia perform at Concert Under the Stars, A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project, Wednesday, July 8 at Cafe at Adele’s, as this is the first time both bands not only co-headline the event, but will play a set together, something both bands have long wanted to do.

Ambrosia and Pablo Cruise co-headline at Concert Under the Stars, A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project, Wednesday, July 8 at Cafe at Adele’s in what is shaping up to be a sold-out, hit-laden evening of fantastic music.

Ambrosia will be in the house performing their numerous hits and new offerings, including their latest song “Hopes & Dreams,” written for and featured in the movie, “The Sparrows Nesting."

Thanks to the support of local agencies, businesses and the community, Concert Under the Stars, A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project has grown exponentially since its inception. Of course, this summer's Carson City event is no different. It is through the generous financial and material support that The Greenhouse Project, and also Capital FFA Chapter are able to succeed.

1970’s hit-makers Ambrosia and Pablo Cruise headline the seventh annual Concert Under the Stars, A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project, Wednesday, July 8 at Cafe at Adele’s in Carson City.

Enjoy an evening of great music, while supporting the ongoing work of growing the next generation of farmers and providing food for the community’s underserved.

Doors open at 5 p.m. at Cafe at Adele’s, 1211 N.Carson St. Information, 232-8626. See you there!

Happy Mother’s Day, Carson City! Several family friendly events are occurring around town this weekend. Take a ride on the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the Ferris Wheel at RSVP’s Spring Fair and Carnival. A Harmonica and Strings Concert at Empire Elementary School showcases what some of our talented students can do. Get up early and head over to the Carson City Airport if your youngster has any interest in planes: Young Eagles flights are happening today if the weather permits.

SATURDAY:

• 23rd Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive (leave your donation of non-perishable food items at your mail box for mail carrier to pick up)
• Greenhouse Project Annual Spring Plant Sale and Live Music with Hick’ry Switch at the Carson High Greenhouse: 1111 Saliman, off Robinson –behind the buses (8am-1pm)

The Greenhouse Project in Carson City is hosting its annual Spring Plant Sale this Saturday, May 9, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's a great way to help support the organization and pick up plants for your garden.

There will be many varieties of tomatoes, squashes, herbs, greens, peppers, and flowers available. Everything has been grown using organic methods by the hands of students and AmeriCorps volunteers.

This National High Five Day I’m throwing out a virtual high five to the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension for putting on this year’s Capital City Farm Days at Fuji Park. 4-H is alive and well in our region, and rightfully so. Agriculture is a huge part of what makes this state great. The program is geared toward school-children, but is open to the public today and tomorrow if you want to learn more about ranching and farming in our region.

THURSDAY:

• Jewish Community Leadership Day at the Legislature
• Capital City Farm Days Celebrates All Things Agriculture at Fuji Park (8am-2pm; free, open to the public)
• Half Price for Everyone in the Outdoor Pools at the Carson Hot Springs

The Greenhouse Project, located at Carson High School in Carson City, has entered the Seeds of Change Grant Program for an opportunity to win one of two $20,000, five $10,000 grants or ten $1,000 grants. They are asking the community to vote for their application.

The Grant Program aims to enhance the environmental, economic and social well-being of gardens, farms and communities. The grants will be awarded to organizations that help support sustainable, community-based gardening and farming programs that focus on teaching people about the food they eat and how it’s grown.

The 7th annual Concert Under the Stars, a benefit for the Greenhouse Project, will feature a July 8 double billing with 70's and 80's smooth classic rock powerhouses Ambrosia and Pablo Cruise.

The concert was announced by Cafe at Adele’s owner Charlie Abowd on his Facebook page Saturday. Ticket sales will be announced soon. The show is produced by John Procaccini of Chili Bop Entertainment and will be in the back outside area of Adele's Restaurant and Lounge.

Once upon a time in Nevada, a Reno tailor named Jacob Davis wrote a letter to Levi Strauss about his pocket rivets, and thus the blue jean was born. Coincidentally, today is Strauss’ birthday. Once upon a time in Nevada, Buffalo Bill Cody was just a kid riding for the Pony Express. It’s his birthday, too. Fun fact: Cuba Crutchfield, a trick-rope cowboy with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, is buried in Carson City’s Lone Mountain Cemetery. Once upon a time in Nevada, a man was shot in Reno.

Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms indoors is a fast-growing hobby. A colleague used to grow them in her bathtub. The North American Mycological Association says, “You too can grow mushrooms at home. It’s easier than you think.”

One of my dreams in my professional life was to introduce young people to the viability of a great career in horticulture. I have been fortunate to realize that goal through my involvement with The Greenhouse Project. However, awakening the passion for growing and working with plants in youth is only one wonderful aspect of this project. I also get to work with caring dedicated people, help beautify downtown Carson City and, best of all, help feed those in need.

Lucky attendants at the fifth annual Celebrity Chef & Harvest Dinner, Nov. 10, will enjoy six courses created by chefs Charlie Abowd and Mark Estee.

The event, hosted the first time as a fundrasier for The Greenhouse Project and a tribute dinner to Paul Abowd, restaurateur and Charlie’s father, has grown into a benefit for The Greenhouse Project on site at Carson High School.

The reception begins with hors d’oeuvres at 5 p.m., followed by dinner.

The Carson City Greenhouse Project at Carson High School is one of 14 projects in Nevada to receive specialty crop block grant money designed for organizations that promote and enhance speciality crops through education, research, marketing and production, the Nevada Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday.

The $21,577 in grant money earmarked for the Greenhouse Project will help fund the Growing America’s Future Farmer program, said JoAnne Skelly, extension educator with the University of Nevada and grant writer for the Greenhouse Project.

Author Novella Carpenter, left center, tours the Greenhouse Project with founder Karen Abowd, left, and garden educator Camille Jones, on Friday, July 18, 2014. Carpenter, who wrote the New York Times Bestseller "Farm City," will speak at the Carson City Library Summer Reading Program for adults event at the Farmer's Market Saturday at 11 a.m.

New York Times author Novella Carpenter will be at the 3rd and Curry Street downtown Carson City Farmer’s Market on July 19 at 11 a.m. to chat about her bestselling memoir, Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer.

Carpenter and northern Nevada agriculture expert Mark O’Farrell, of Hungry Mother Organics, are set to engage in a kitchen-table visit. Under a large tent, with seats for 100, the conversation will be led by northern Nevada’s KTVN news anchor Erin Breen. The special event is aimed at raising awareness about the vital role farmers play in our lives.

You may find yourself “Reminiscing” about some “Lady” and finding “It’s a Long Way There,” or that you weren’t quite the “Lonesome Loser” in high school, you may have imagined. If these titles ring a bell or you find yourself humming the songs, Concert Under the Stars, A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project is where you will want to be Wednesday, July 9, as Little River Band headlines the sixth annual event at Cafe at Adele’s in Carson City.

For nearly 40 years, the band has produced song after song that not only has done well commercially, but has been woven into a generation’s memories.

The sixth annual Concert Under the Stars, A benefit for The Greenhouse Project in Carson City promises to be bigger than ever and features Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett of Little Feat opening for Little River Band.

The event takes place July 9 at Café at Adele’s and the venue has been expanded to allow for greater attendance, said Karen Abowd, Greenhouse Project president.

On this week's It's Your City, Camille Jones, manager of the Carson City Greenhouse Project discusses spring and summer activities at the facility, located behind Carson High School.

Make time to visit The Greenhouse Project and a few things come clear: Agriculture is, after nearly 15 years defunct, alive and well on Carson High School’s campus, and the student population whose class time is integrated here, are developing life skills that will serve them in future, while currently realizing they have a hand in making a difference in their community.