This year is shaping up to be the best yet for our annual fundraiser for Relay for Life, Fallon Chapter. In 2004, we held our first ever "Jazz on The River" as part of a fundraiser for the Churchill County Hospital Auxiliary. It was our first concert out in the river garden, and it was not only a huge success, but it set in motion the 12 outdoor concerts that have followed. The next year, 2005, marked the first summer that we dedicated our Jazz on The River to Relay for Life.

This year, we are proud to have playing for us, Steve Vasco & Jazzmajic. A multi Grammy Award nominated musician now living in the Lake Tahoe area. He has played with some of the greats in the jazz world, and we can't wait to hear his cool sounds under the stars out by the river.

We also have a special treat in store for all wine connoisseurs. This year, because of our new store, Red Zinnia, we have a multitude of wine distributors. They feel as strongly as we do about promoting donations to Relay for Life. They have offered to host wine tents featuring their vintages. We will have tents set up by Southern Wine & Spirits, Luce & Sons, Wirtz Beverage, Encore Beverage, Barefoot Wines and Baronn Imports. Tasting tickets will be available for sale, as well as amazing case discounts for any wine ordered that will be picked up at Red Zinnia the following week.

Here comes the pitch. That concert in 2005, when we first started dedicating all proceeds to Relay for Life, I was asked to get up on the stage and say a few words. As a cancer survivor myself, the organizers thought that it would be good way to help show that cancer touches everyone, including someone you might know. I did make it up to the stage that year, but I couldn't say much. I was staring out over the crowd at my Dad, who had just been diagnosed with lung cancer the month before. My Dad lost his fight with the disease in the winter of 2006. This concert and the proceeds that come with it are one small way that we can not only give - but honor those that have been touched by this disease. As we walk at the Relay for Life the following week, I hope you will join us there also. Go Team Flower Tree!

Tickets are on sale now, $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the gate. Gates open at 5, music starts at 6pm - until 11. In addition to the tasting tents, Big Ed's BBQ will be catering the food, and Team Raleys will be on hand with Relay for Life luminary bags, t-shirts, etc. for purchase. You can bring your chairs early in the day if you would like and set them up out in the grass, or reserve a table by stopping by the day of the concert. First come - first seated. ALL PROCEEDS from this event go to Relay for Life. Last years donation was over $2000.00, and with the assistance from our wine distributors this year, we know that we will surpass that. If you are going to be out of town, or can't make it for some reason, please keep in mind that your ticket is a tax-deductible donation and can always be given to a friend or family member so that they can attend. Please help us make this the biggest and best one yet! We all thank you, Susan