Concert raised $4,800 for Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts

The Sept. 2 concert featuring Greg Brown at Adele's Restaurant helped raise $4,800 for the American Red Cross' Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

About $2,400 was given by concert-goers while the concert producers, Charlie Abowd and Jerry Massad of Captain LittleTrip along with John Procaccini, of ChilliBop Entertainment, will match the donations through proceeds from the Summer Concert Series.

"The concert was a sold-out success," said Abowd, restaurant owner.

"People turned out to enjoy themselves with a night on the town, but still kept the victims of the hurricane in mind. This generosity of Carson City residents goes to show that the American spirit is alive and that we all want to pitch in during times of need. The American Red Cross was delighted with the response."

Ron Schmitt, a member of the American Red Cross Board of Directors, said the donation will make a difference.

"Financial gifts like the donations collected at Adele's last week, help the American Red Cross supply hundreds of thousands of victims with critical necessities such as shelter, food, water and counseling," he said. "Over $52 million has been raised by the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. We owe that incredible figure to people like the residents of Carson City who immediately responded by donating. Every dollar raised makes a big difference."

The Summer Concert Series concludes on Sept. 21 with the Dan Hicks concert.

The American Red Cross will be available to collect donations during this concert as well.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased for $30 at Adele's, the Brewery Arts Center and The Cracker Box in Carson City and SoundWaves in Reno or by calling (775) 882-3353.

JoAnne Skelly has been awarded the National Association of County Agricultural Agents' State Achievement Award.

The award was given at the association's 90th Annual Meeting in Buffalo, N.Y.

Peers select the award recipients, who are then approved by the state's Cooperative Extension director. The association presents the award to only the top 1 percent of county Extension educators from each state who have less than 10 years service as an Extension educator in the nation's Cooperative Extension Service. This year, only 47 individuals from throughout the United States received the award.

Skelly was the Master Gardener Coordinator for University of Nevada Cooperative Extension for eight years, before becoming the Carson City/Storey County Extension Educator in 2000. She earned her master's of science degree in Resource Management from University of Nevada, Reno in 1998.

Recently, much of her work has focused on advising Carson City property owners on how to rehabilitate their landscapes and make their properties more fire safe since last summer's Waterfall fire. The fire claimed 18 homes and more than 8,000 acres.

Skelly is an integral part of Carson City's leadership, serving on several committees and boards. Her horticulture column is featured on Saturdays in the Nevada Appeal. In addition to her work in reducing the threat of wildfire, Skelly says that addressing water quality and quantity issues, and ensuring that Carson City's youth have quality youth leadership and development programs are two of her major focuses.

The Carson City Historical Society presented several special recognition awards to those who contributed to the betterment of Carson City's recreational facilities in 2004.

Award winners will be added to the foundation's memorial wall at the entrance to the Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park.

Organization of the year: The Carson Tiger Sharks Swim program for providing the best environment for all swimmers to achieve success in competitive swimming.

Business of the year: Dick Campagni's Carson City Toyota for their donations to The Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada, Carson City Little League, St. Teresa's Catholic Church and hearing impaired high school students.

Volunteers of the year: John P. Copoulos for architectural plans for the Korean War Veterans Park and the preliminary plans for the Roberts Carriage House. Fred Stanio for mapping, surveying and oversight of the construction of the east half of Governors Field.

To place a name on the granite wall donate to the Foundation of Betterment of Parks and Recreation.