For Glenn Schlemmer, a member of the Washoe Association for Retarded Citizens, the luncheon and Christmas performance put on by John Ascuaga’s Nugget is an event to look forward to all year.

"This is the second year I've come to this," Schlemmer said. "Last year I had a really good time and I'm excited for this year's show. My favorite part last year was when Cassie Christmas came out to sing 'Santa Baby.'"

Schlemmer was grateful for the opportunity to attend the event and said, "I've met John and Steve [Ascuaga] before. It's really nice of them to do this for us."

Every year the Nugget hosts a luncheon for WARC clients and staff. More than 100 lunches were served on Tuesday and a performance was given for all attendees. This is a long-standing tradition that the Ascuagas intend to continue.

"We've been doing this for over 20 years now," Nugget owner John Ascuaga said. "We never hesitate to put this event on."

The fact that the economy is in a recession did not affect Ascuaga's choice to hold the event this year.

"Everyone keeps asking me about the economy, but when it comes down to it, you just have to do the best you can with what you have," Ascuaga said. "These events are very important to us and we want to make sure that things like this luncheon and the employee's annual Christmas party always take place."

WARC provides services for local citizens with disabilities.

"We're a community and a training center for people with disabilities," WARC case manager Leonard Lee said. "We help out team members to find jobs and work on life skills."

The WARC does not only help its members when it comes to finding work, but also provides members with recreational activities.

"We do martial arts, yoga and swimming," Lee said. "Team members can take part in any of the recreational activities we have to offer."

Washoe Arc also organizes community-based outings to sporting events, movies, live theater and cultural events, museum, parks, restaurants, dances and the like.

Lee explained that some of the WARC team members are involved with different companies around town.

"One company we work with is Levitan Electronics," Lee said. "We've been with this company for six or seven years and we take a group of people out to their building to work."

The enclave division of WARC takes a small group of people, who are accompanied by a supervisor. The purpose for this work experience is to prepare a person for future work in the community since it requires appropriate attire and attendance.

For the WARC, it is important to remain involved in the community.

"Working with Levitan Electronics is one way that we build those community connections that are so important to us," Lee said. "It's one way to make sure that people with disabilities are a part of their community."

Tawnia Goni, who has been a part of WARC since 2004, is involved with Levitan Electronics.

"I've been working with them for about four year and I like what I do there," Goni said.

For Goni, the holiday performance on Tuesday was fun to watch, but the best part of the event was the food.

"I don't know what we're getting today, but last year the lunch was really good," Goni said.

Debbie Hill, the mother of performer "Cassie Christmas," said she is impressed by the Nugget's willingness to put on the event every year.

"Cassie has performed at different casinos, but this is her favorite one to come to," Hill said. "She thinks it's really great how involved the Nugget is with the community."

Hill said that her daughter has performed at the event for the last few years and has enjoyed it every year.

"She's been practicing some new songs for this year," Hill said. "She's worked with the disabled since she was a child, volunteering for the Special Olympics, and when they asked her to be a part of this, she didn't hesitate to say yes."

Hill continued, "Especially during the holidays, it's nice to see people giving back to their communities."