Briefs

Registration set for master gardener classes

Registration for the next master gardener training classes offered by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road.

The fall semester will begin Sept. 13, with classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Master gardeners are university-trained community volunteers who share their knowledge and desert gardening skills through the home gardening help line, public presentations and information booths. Master gardeners are experienced in successfully growing plants in the Mojave Desert -- the hottest, driest and coldest of the North American deserts. This is an environment unfamiliar to many newcomers. By teaching what to plant and how to properly care for their landscapes or gardens, the master gardeners save people money on water, soil amendments, plant materials, etc.

The master gardener program is open to all who accept the training (72 hours) and volunteer commitment (50 hours per year on master gardener community projects).

More than 1,000 community members have completed master gardener training since the first class was offered in Las Vegas in 1992.

A $150 cost-recovery fee covers all class materials including three textbooks, badge, shirt, tote and some refreshments. Completed registrations (applications and cash or check payable to Board of Regents) will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to reserve a spot at the registration event, contact Mary Bertsch, program assistant, at bertschm@unce.unr.edu, 257-5501.

This Old House seeks 'Hometown Heros'

This Old House is looking for "Hometown Heroes," people who go above and beyond to make their neighborhoods and communities better places to live.

The contest, sponsored by Hyundai Sonata, seeks out individuals who lead by example, doing good deeds in their towns. From repairing homes for those in need to building inner-city playgrounds, the editors of This Old House want to recognize local heroes.

Enter yourself, a friend or neighbor now through July 18 at ThisOldHouseContests.com/Heroes. One winner and five runners-up will be featured in an issue of the magazine later this year. The grand-prize winner will receive a $2,500 donation to the charity of his or her choice. The five runners-up will receive $500 each to their designated charity.

Thompson's to help protect, preserve nation's parks

With 392 sites in 42 states, America's national parks are part of the largest and most diverse park system in the world. As the centennial of the National Park Service approaches, there are numerous maintenance and repair projects needed to keep the parks safe and enjoyable. Now, there are two new ways homeowners can help while protecting and preserving their own yards as well.

The Thompson's Co., makers of the Thompson's Water Seal brand of products, will donate $1 for each eligible product sold, up to $50,000, to the National Park Foundation. For those who are caught up on exterior weatherproofing projects, the company also has a "Donate Now" feature on its website (thompsonswaterseal.com); for each click the company will donate $1, up to $25,000, to the National Park Foundation. In addition, the company will donate $25,000 worth of products for use in the parks.

"America's National Parks have preserved the rugged, majestic natural beauty of our country for everyone to experience," said Anika Davis, director of corporate development for the National Park Foundation. "They contain a wide variety of structures that serve staff and visitors, like decks, boardwalks, visitor centers, tourist cabins, hotels, campgrounds, park ranger housing and much more. Extreme climates, natural occurrences like floods and fires and the increasing number of visitors all cause wear and tear on these structures which needs to be addressed for the parks to continue functioning at their best."

In addition to a donation to the National Parks, homeowners will get a rebate, in the form of a store gift check, on the Thompson's Water Seal products they purchase.

Consumers can find rebate forms in stores or they can be downloaded at the website.