Empty Bowls to host painting events

Empty Bowls of Douglas County aims to eliminate hunger through creative bowl making with area students and community members. Hand-crafted clay bowls are taken through a specific process that includes forming to firing, painting, glazing, and firing, to ensure they are food safe.

Then they’re sold at Douglas County schools, organizations, community events, and farmer’s markets throughout the year, with proceeds benefitting the Douglas County Community Food Closet.

In preparation for their annual autumn fundraising event at St. Gall Catholic Church on Oct. 1, the group is looking for volunteer painters 7 and older to participate in a couple of upcoming bowl crafting events. All supplies will be provided.

The first event is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the home of Vice President Camille Howard. Participants are invited to express their creativity by applying glaze (paint) to bowls that have already gone through an initial firing process. This painting activity takes place outdoors on Howard’s backyard patio at 1301 Myers Drive in Gardnerville.

The second event is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 inside Studio Dragonfly Arts, 1402 B, Main St., in Gardnerville. Volunteers can help with forming new bowls out of clay rounds and painting designs onto bowls that have already been fired.

Anyone wanting to paint a bowl they form that day can make arrangements to return in two weeks after their bowl has been dried and fired.

Questions about these bowl crafting events can be directed to Howard at 775-783-0009 or by visiting emptybowlsdouglas

countynv.com

Back-to School Bash Aug. 20

Northern Nevada Dream Center hosts their fourth annual Back-to-School Bash on 4-6 p.m. Aug. 20 at Fuji Park, 601 Old Clear Creek Road, Carson City. The event benefits students in grades K-5 who are enrolled in the Douglas County or Carson School Districts and is first come, first served.

This year, organizers hope to collect enough school supplies for 1,000 students in need, and it’s not too late to support their efforts with a financial donation. $20 will supply one student with a new backpack and school supplies for the upcoming school year. Visit the Back-to-School Bash webpage at nndreamcenter.org/b2sb/ to learn more about individual, business, or organizational sponsorships.

Student recipients must be present at the event in order to receive their backpack. Family groceries and other surprises will be distributed, and parents get free entry into a raffle sponsored by the Katie Grace Foundation (ktgracefoundation.org/).

The Carson City Lions Club will provide free vision screenings during the bash, and Western Nevada Safe Routes to School program mascot Safety Sally will be on hand to pass out swag and safety materials. Families will receive a gift from Ashlee’s Toy Closet (ashleestoyclosetnv.org/) and Kona Ice will provide treats to students. Firefighters from the Carson City Fire Department will offer tours of the firetrucks and the Greater Nevada Credit Union G-Bus will be there with giveaways and games for the kids.

Director Susan Sorenson said the last two Back-to-School bashes have been drive through, and organizers are excited to host an in-person event this year. Questions about the Back-to-School bash can be directed to NNDC at 775-443-4090 or via email at info@nndreamcenter.org.

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