Main Street Gardnerville hosts clean up events

Springtime is a perfect time to do a little sprucing up, and Main Street Gardnerville has coordinated a couple of local events to help beautify downtown spaces and the local community garden.

April 22 is Earth Day and to mark the occasion, the volunteer crew at Heritage Park Gardens has planned a workday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Participants can help clear garden spaces, prune overgrowth, and place new plants into the ground. All that’s needed is a willingness to help and a pair of gloves; tools will be supplied.

Heritage Park Gardens is located at 1461 Ezell Street in Gardnerville. The space provides visitors with a contemplative walking labyrinth, gazebo with wonderful views of the Sierra Nevada range, giant chess set, children’s garden area, and kindness rock garden. Rental plots are available for those who want to grow their own vegetables but don’t have the space, and the gardens are host to a number of different learning programs and social events throughout the year.

On May 6 from 9 a.m. until noon, Main Street Gardnerville invites the community to pitch in during their annual Sweep the Town event.

MS Gardnerville Program Director Jen Nalder said Sweep the Town aims to beautify downtown spaces and support local businesses in preparing for the spring and summer seasons. Nalder credits Meredith Fischer of Eddy Street Vintage Market for spearheading Sweep the Town every year since it began; Fischer serves on the MS Gardnerville board and is also the District Vitality Committee chair.

“[Meredith] puts so much time and effort into planning the event each year; it really has become a community-wide way of welcoming spring, and we can’t thank her enough,” Nalder said.

According to Nalder, there’s plenty of work to do along the district after the long winter. Sweep the Town is open to all, and volunteers are asked to bring a broom, work gloves, a sun hat, and a friend. Plan to meet at 9 a.m. at the Town of Gardnerville/MS Gardnerville parking lot, 1407 US Hwy 395 N in Gardnerville, to sign a liability waiver and get a job assignment before heading out. This year’s tasks include light pole painting and winter cleanup from the snow and plows. Coffee and snacks will be served.

Gardnerville was the first community in Nevada to receive a Main Street designation as part of the accredited Main Street America program. Main Street Gardnerville partners with local stakeholders “to revitalize downtown Gardnerville utilizing design, organization, promotion, and district vitality to develop the unique identity and preserve the historic nature of our community.” Visit mainstreetgardnerville.org for more information.

Questions about these and other MS Gardnerville events can be directed to 775-782-8027.

Meteor shower peaks this weekend

The annual Lyrids meteor shower is expected to peak Friday night into Saturday. Today marks a new moon phase, so there won’t be much moonlight to compete against the search for “shooting stars.”

Active every year for two weeks during the latter half of April, the Lyrids are named for the constellation Lyra. The source of this annual meteor shower is Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1 Thatcher), which was discovered by astronomer A. E. Thatcher in 1861. Visit solarsys-tem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/meteors-and-meteorites/lyrids/in-depth/ to learn more about the Lyrids and the comet from which they originate.

For the best viewing, NASA suggests heading out after dark and finding a spot away from other light sources. With your feet facing east, lie back and look up to take in “as much of the sky as possible.” Bundle up and bring a blanket or sleeping bag for extra warmth. With a little luck and patience, you just might spot a meteor.

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