Many activities offered at Cottonwood Creek Farm

In participation with the Carson Valley Magiko celebrations, which will continue until July 6, Barbara Flanagan's Cottonwood Creek Farm was host to a demonstration by four Carson Valley artists on Monday.

Ray Freeman, Margo Pederson, Arlene Origoni and Teri Sweeney set up their palettes and portable easels around the garden pond and fountains of the Cottonwood Creek Farm to demonstrate the fine art of plein air painting. Each artist showed the different techniques of painting on scene. Sweeney chose water color, Origoni was working in pastel while Freeman and Pederson used oil to express the feeling of the peaceful gardens.

A continuation of artistic activities will be Saturday when internationally known artist, Reiko Hervin, will give a plein air demonstration. Hervin will demonstrate a new art technique. Artists work with simple-to-manage colored pencils and then with the addition of water - voila! - a watercolor painting appears. Hervin's watercolor pencils demonstration will be free at 1 p.m. and open to the public. A mini workshop will follow with a $10 material fee for those that are interested. All materials will be provided. Refreshments will be served.

For Flanagan, life is busy at Cottonwood Creek. When she isn't planning special events like the art offerings for Magiko, she is running her Cottonwood Creek Farm horse boarding facilities, coordinating efforts for the Carson Valley branch of Tahoe Singles or running her bed and breakfast.

"When I first moved to Carson Valley 12 years ago," Flanagan said, "I was going to raise Arabians. It didn't take me long to realize, 'You just don't make money on horses.'

"So, as the old saying goes, 'when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.'"

Flanagan converted her stable into a boarding facility and is in the process of building a covered arena for winter riding and other horse events.

She opened up three rooms in a section of her home for an elegant bed and breakfast at the farm as well.

"I was surprised to find out that I am the only bed and breakfast in Gardnerville," she said.

Cottonwood Creek is one of the hidden treasures of Nevada. Winner of the prestigious Governor's Tourism award, it offers an opportunity to visit the Old West and experience life on a working horse ranch while living amidst the luxury of the silver barons. Forty acres are devoted to the boarding, training and raising of horses. In the evening you can often hear the coyotes howl, but there is nothing else to disturb the tranquility. The 4,500-square-foot ranch house was built in 1995 of natural river rock and solid cedar planks. Each room has a private bath and high speed Internet access. It is decorated with original paintings and antiques collected from around the world.

Flanagan also devotes a lot of her time to the Carson Valley segment of Tahoe Singles. The group gets together for socializing and raising money for charities in the Valley.

"The Carson Valley/Tahoe Singles is a non-profit group of basically 40 plus singles that get together," Flanagan said about the group. "We fill the gap between the 20/30 club and the senior center. If you're too old for the 20/30 club and too young for the senior center, you'll fit right in. Our emphasis is not on date and mate but rather on providing activities where singles can get together and have someone to do things with."

The Tahoe Singles have a new location for their semi-weekly meetings. The Bank Parlor & Pub on Esmeralda Avenue in Minden hosts the group for their first and third Tuesday meetings. During the summer, the Farmer's Market is open along Esmeralda Avenue offering additional entertainment for those who attend the informal meetings.

To find out more about Cottonwood Creek Farms for boarding horses, the bed and breakfast and up-coming events, go to www.ccarabians.com or to find out more about Tahoe Singles go to www.tahoesingles.com to see events being planned for the summer.

Cottonwood Creek Farms will be hosting a "Pirates of the Caribbean" singles party starting at 3 p.m. July 15 which is sponsored by the Carson Valley Chapter of the Tahoe Singles. Come as your favorite or least favorite character. Chicken, ribs, corn on the cob and rum punch will be served. Bring $10 and whatever else you would like to eat or drink. Be prepared to share. All singles are welcome with games galore to entertain. Cottonwood Creek Farm is located at 1702 Sanchez Road, Gardnerville. East on Buckeye from Highway 395, right on East Valley, right on Drury and right on Sanchez. For more information visit the Tahoe Singles Web site or call Barbara Flanagan 782-3057.