Vol. 3, No. 13
.jpg)
May 1, 2006
Nevada's Online State News Journal
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . | |||||||
 |
Find Out
More About Our Wonderful State. |
COPYWRITING
|
|
The Buzz Around The Silver State
as compiled by our correspondents
White Pine County
Great Basin National Park Ready For Summer Rush
(Baker) --- There is no fee to enter this most beautiful National Park, and those arriving in the late spring can look forward to visiting all four seasons as they hike higher and higher into the Mr. Wheeler area. Mt. Wheeler is the second highest peak in Nevada. The park is home to Lehman Caves and fantastic camping. Here is a rundown of camping facilities at Great Basin National Park.
All park camping is on a first come, first served basis. No reservations can be made (except for the Grey Cliffs Group Campground). Campsites cannot be "saved" or reserved for family or friends arriving later. The fee for developed campgrounds is $12.00 per night per site. Campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. There is no fee for the primitive campgrounds. Pets in the campgrounds must be kept on a leash 6 feet in length or shorter at all times. Pets are not permitted on park trails.
Baker Creek Campground
Open mid-May through September. Baker Creek Campground, at 7,700 feet (2,350 meters), contains 32 campsites, two of which are wheelchair accessible, and pit toilets. It is three miles from Lehman Caves Visitor Center on a gravel road. Water is available in summer only. Campsites are $12.00 per night and are limited to eight people and two vehicles per site.
Grey Cliffs Group Campground
Memorial Day to Labor Day. Phone (775) 234-7331 ext. 213. Elevation is 7,115 ft. (2,160 meters). This group campsite is open May through November, weather permitting. A campfire is allowed in one campfire ring only. The campsite has pit toilets and no potable water. Water jugs can be filled at the Baker Creek Campground or the RV dump station. RV's are not recommended due to space constraints. The campsite fee is $25 per night for up to 25 people. Each additional person will increase the fee one dollar. The total may not exceed 50 people and $50. A $10 non-refundable deposit will be applied to the fee. Balance is due upon check-in.
Lower Lehman Creek Campground
Open All Year. Lower Lehman Creek Campground, at 7,300 feet (2,200 meters), contains 11 campsites, pit toilets, and a limited number of pull-through sites for small RV's and trailers. It is 2.5 miles from Lehman Caves Visitor Center off the paved scenic drive. Lower Lehman Campground is open all year, but water is available in summer only. Campsites are $12.00 per night and are limited to eight people and two vehicles per site.
Primitive Campgrounds
Open All Year. Primitive camping facilities within the park are located along Snake Creek and Strawberry Creek Roads. Picnic tables and fire pits are provided at most sites. A few Snake Creek sites have toilets. Creek water should be treated before use. Drinking water is available at the dump station near the visitor center from late spring through early fall. In winter, water is available at the visitor center. Camping is on a first come, first served basis. The park's primitive campgrounds do not have a fee.
Upper Lehman Creek Campground
Open From mid-May through September. Upper Lehman Campground is located three miles from the Lehman Caves Visitor Center off the Scenic Drive at 7,800 feet (2,400 meters). It contains 24 campsites, pit toilets, and one wheelchair accessible site. Water is available in summer only. Campsites are $12.00 per night and are limited to eight people and two vehicles per site.
Wheeler Peak Campground
Open June through September. Wheeler Peak Campground is located at 9,950 feet (3,000 meters) at the end of the scenic drive, just over 12 miles from the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. It contains 37 sites (one wheelchair accessible), and pit toilets. The road to the campground is narrow and curvy and climbs an 8% grade 12 miles. RV's and trailers are not recommended. Water is available in summer only. Campsites are $12.00 per night and are limited to eight people and two vehicles per site.
Storey County
Cinco De Mayo On The Comstock Includes Parade, Chili Cookoff
(Virginia City) --- Mariachi music will flow along with throngs of visitors to Virginia City over the Cinco de Mayo weekend of May 6-7. Chili cookers will line the street, piρatas will be smashed, and the whole thing will end with a grand parade. The chili cookoff begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the parade will start at noon (Comstock time) on Sunday.
As with most chili cookoffs, tasting is a part of the program, or show if you will. Some cookers have more show than chili, but that's part of the fun. There is an entry fee for cookers, and more information can be had from Jeff Aguilar at 775-847-9016.
Lyon County
Strike Threat Ended At Fernley Cement Plant
(Fernley) --- Union members have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new five-year contract with Nevada Cement, the major supplier of northern Nevada's most critical construction material. The existing contract with Laborer's Union Local 169 and Teamsters Local 533 expired on March 25 after having been extended several times in attempts to reach agreement.
The two unions represent about 90 workers at the Lyon County plant. The new contract and pension agreements were ratified in two votes by large margins according to Skip Daly, Business Manager of Laborers Union Local 169.
Washoe County
"Uncommon Courage" Cited In Teacher Award
(Reno) --- Pine Middle School teacher Jencie Fagan has received the Police Chief's Commendation Medal from Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman. Citing her "uncommon courage and strength of character," the award was presented at a ceremony at Washoe County School Administration Building.
Fagan was preparing for classes in the nearby gym the morning of March 14 when she heard gunfire and without hesitation immediately proceeded in that direction. When she reached the main hallway, she saw the armed student as well as several other panicked students. She called the armed student by name and disarmed him. She then held the boy until other staff could arrive and assist.
Fagan does not consider herself any kind of hero saying she did what anyone else in her position would have done. Probably not, brave lady, probably not.
Cinco De Mayo In Reno And Sparks
(Reno/Sparks) --- On May 5 the Adelante Hispanic Gala will take place at the Circus Circus Convention Center in Reno with keynote speaker Ruben Navarrette, nationally syndicated columnist. Long time northern Nevada restaurateur Bertha Miranda will be honored with induction to the Hall of Fame.
Co-chairs for the event are Sparks Mayor Gino Martini and local columnist Ellie Lopez-Bowlan. More information can be got from the Nevada Hispanic Services, http://www.nhsreno.org.
On Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7 a Cinco de Mayo party will be held on Victorian Square in Sparks with food, entertainment, arts, and crafts. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. each day and run until six in the evening.