Scrapbooking event to benefit Meneley

The innovative playground committee at Meneley Elementary School has organized a special scrapbooking evening in order to raise additional funds for new playground equipment.

The Scrappin' for Slides event will take place next Friday, April 25 at Holy Grounds Coffee House in Gardnerville. The fun gets underway at 6 p.m. and participants are invited to work on their scrapbooking projects until they drop.

In addition to the uninterrupted time to devote to projects, attendees will have an opportunity to see the latest products from a variety of vendors including Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Creative Memories, Arbonne, Close To My Heart, Heritage Makers and Isagenix.

Raffle prizes will be drawn throughout the evening and every ticket holder is automatically entered into the door prize drawing. There will also be a silent auction featuring goodies from the vendors listed above as well as gift cards to various local restaurants and I Paint For Joy, The Ridge Tahoe accommodations, Heavenly ski passes and gift baskets from Making Memories and Starbucks.

Additionally, prizes will be awarded based upon criteria such as number of pages completed and type or theme of the scrapbook.

A buffet-style dinner including pizza, salads, cheese and deli trays. Starbuck's coffee and cake will be served.

Tickets are $25 and include all the fun and amenities mentioned above, plus a special tips and ideas packet for your scrapbooking projects. Proceeds from the evening will help fund the purchase of new playground equipment, including slides and various climbing structures, for the school.

Holy Grounds Coffee House is located at 1267 Highway 395 in Gardnerville. For more information about the event or to register, contact Meneley Elementary at 265-3154.

New Minden restaurant fantastico

Last Friday evening, my husband Scott and I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Marcello's Ristorante and Bar in Minden.

The fresh, upscale eatery features innovative Italian cuisine presented with a French flair. In addition to the plethora of scrumptious menu items, there were five or six additional specials featured that evening.

Scott chose Caesar salad and a rib eye steak served with blue cheese and crispy fries. I selected one of the specials, a pancetta and walnut salad and grilled vegetables with polenta for my entrée.

The Caesar dressing was tangy and garlicky, just the way Scott likes it. Blue cheese softened over the sizzling steak, making for a savory, melt-in-your-mouth meal. My salad was unbelievable - crunchy walnuts and crisp pancetta tossed with mixed greens in a sharp dressing that cut through the richness perfectly. The delectable vegetables included eggplant, squash and fennel bulb accompanied by creamy smooth polenta topped with cheese.

Not one to be deterred by a full belly, I went ahead and ordered dessert - profiteroles filled with limoncello cream then drizzled with dark chocolate. The decaf coffee was served in its own French press right at our table. Strong and full-bodied, it was a perfect ending to a phenomenal meal.

The interior of the restaurant has been completely redone. You enter through a cozy lounge area, which features seating along a dramatic granite bar and several intimate tables.

In the dining room, contemporary artwork hangs against walls that have the texture and ambiance of an authentic Italian villa. Tables are set with sparkling glassware and silverware on top of crisp white tablecloths. The waitstaff are attentive and accommodating, and gracious host Robert Humphrey stopped by our table to check that everything was to our satisfaction.

While we were lucky enough to obtain a table just by walking in that evening, reservations are accepted and strongly recommended.

Owners Robert and Cindy Humphrey invite you to visit Marcello's at 1799 B Ironwood Drive in Minden. The restaurant opens at 5 p.m. every day except for Tuesday. Their phone number is 783-3211.

-- Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.