Beginners

The Carson City area is awash in entertainment, shopping, and family-friendly options this weekend. Santa Claus is popping up all over, including at Benson Feed for the annual CASI Pet Photos with St. Nick and aboard the train at our Railroad Museum’s Santa Train. The musical ‘Honk, Jr’ for the young ones and Love/Sick for the older crowd are on the stage at the Brewery Arts Center. Spend the day at the Silver Saddle Ranch: their annual Holiday Open House is the perfect time to explore their trails and learn more about the working ranch’s preservation.

Jack Frost definitely has his icy fingers wrapped around today. It’s going to be a chilly one, so bundle up. With Christmas morning just three weeks away, the holidays are in full swing. Get a look at all of the seasonal fun that’s on it’s way in my list of holiday happenings HERE.

Even Santa Claus enjoys his time aboard Carson City's famed trains. With appearances at the Brewery Arts Center, Santa can be found throughout the area, including the Nevada Railroad Museum. Elsewhere, let the arrows fly during the Clearcreek Bowmen’s Holiday with a Hero fundraising 3-D shoot. Enjoy a Small Town Christmas in Dayton this evening. The festivities take place in ‘Our Park,’ at the western edge of town. An ugly sweater contest, hot chocolate, caroling, tree lighting and home-town fun are on the menu. Keep reading, there’s even more in store for today.

The rumors of Santa Claus coming to town are true. The jolly old man is making several appearances today, and is feeling photogenic. Take a ride with him at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, join him on the ‘Elf Crawl’ from the Capitol to the Carson Mall, or tell him your wish list at Debug Computers. Adults have a hard choice to make: the monthly downtown wine walk and the Holiday with a Hero Pub Crawl both take place today, and I’m not sure I’d recommend attempting both.

Let's get this show on the road. The long holiday weekend is behind us, and I hope everyone ate too much. Mondays are a little quiet in our capital city, but that doesn't mean that there is nothing to do. You'll find several changing art exhibits throughout town, so visiting them every few months gives you the chance to experience new art. Monday Night Football is always a fun time to cheer on your team; this week you'll see the Texans and the Ravens battle it out. For family-friendly karaoke, the Fox Brewpub is the place to be.

MONDAY:

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, you’ll see twinkling lights appearing everywhere. Carson City doesn’t light up our downtown until next Friday, but if you need an immediate fix of holiday decorations, Minden has got you covered. Candy Cane Lane at the Carson Valley Inn is a custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display. ‘Nevada Christmas’ is a private home on Chaparral Court, just off Stephanie Way, and puts the holly jollies into the holiday.

SUNDAY:      

Once the turkey has been devoured, all thoughts turn toward shopping. Shop Small Saturday helps to throw a spotlight on our local gems, and the great gifts you’ll find. New this year is Museum Store Sunday with both the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum participating. Make time for family and friends at the annual Nutcracker Ballet performed by Pinkerton Ballet at the Carson City Community Center. Keep reading and have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

FRIDAY:

I don’t know about you, but I can almost smell turkey in the air. Healthy Communities Coalition in Dayton will help you spruce up your holiday dinner during this month’s cooking demo: the pumpkin spice bars caught my eye. The fundraising for the victims of the Nov. 9 rollover accident continues tonight at Chili’s Restaurant. Head there for dinner and a portion of your check will benefit the teens that were injured. Help move your Monday along with something fun. Karaoke at the Fox Brewpub, a Monday Night Football party at Living the Good Life, or Game Night at Carson Cigar Co.

Sunday is usually synonymous with football this time of year. Raiders fans, and non-fans for that matter, are invited to the Eleventh Frame Lounge inside Carson Lanes to watch the game and join in the annual Adopt-a-Senior Fundraiser. If you’ve got a bibliophile on your gift list, the Nevada State Museum has got you covered. You’ll get the chance to meet ten notable Nevadan authors, learn more about our great state, and get a signed copy one of the many books available. Read on and enjoy your weekend.

With Thanksgiving just days away, the holiday season is just around the corner. The annual Holiday Craft Fair at Carson High features a plethora of handmade and locally crafted gifts for the loved ones on your shopping list. Take the plunge at the Carson Aquatic Center if you want to get a picture with Scuba Santa. Grab a coat, some friends, and your ID and head downtown for this month’s beer crawl. $15 gets you a glass and your first beer, from there you’ll pay only $1 for refills at several watering holes. There’s even more to enjoy this weekend, so keep reading for your options.

Don’t let Monday get you manic, find some motivation instead. The Adams Hub on Proctor Street brings you Motivation Monday with lunchtime yoga and community coaching sessions. The Dolphins take on the Panthers in tonight’s big game, pick your team and cheer them on. The Fox Brewpub is a great place to watch the game, and with all-day happy hour in the Fox' Den and karaoke in the Dining Room every Monday, you may as well get there early and stay late.

MONDAY:

Happy Sunday, Carson City. There's theater, bike rides, book sales, BINGO and more today. Read on and have a great day.

SUNDAY:

Although Veterans Day was observed yesterday, there are several things today that honor our former members of the military. Battle Born Harley Davidson is throwing an appreciation party complete with food trucks. Virginia City’s annual Veterans Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. and the City of Reno will commence their parade after a short ceremony beginning at 11:11 a.m. You’ll find an abundance of craft fairs in Carson City, Carson Valley, and Dayton. Western Nevada Musical Theater Co.

The weekend has ended, but with Veteran’s Day coming up, the next one will be here in just four short days. Get a jump on your week with Motivation Monday at the Adam’s Hub featuring yoga at lunch and community coaching with Diane Hansen. It’s the Lions versus the Packers for tonight’s game; you’ll find it on just about every screen in town, but the buffet at Living the Good Life makes for a great party. Jump, jive, and wail with the High Sierra Swing Dance Club. Their weekly night out includes lessons for beginners and intermediate steps, then a night of dancing to show off your stuff.

Sometime in the middle of the night, we gained an extra hour. Use those sixty minutes any way you’d like: extra time in bed, Community Yoga at Comma Coffee, or maybe doing something fun with the kids. Head out to Tumbleweeds in Minden for Family Fun and Fit Day and let the kids burn off a week’s worth of Halloween candy. The Nevada Artists Association is hosting a reception for their artists this afternoon. If you haven’t seen the new Nevada Show, it’s the perfect time to check it out and vote for your favorite piece.

SUNDAY:

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City. Now that we are in November, thoughts turn to the holiday season. That means craft fairs. St. Paul’s Lutheran Family on Saliman welcomes you to their annual Craftique Open House. You’ll find the Young at Heart Seniors Club hosting a faire at the Douglas County Community Center. The Carson Nugget’s Sierra Room will be home to several artisans, vendors, and crafters during today’s wine walk. There’s quite a bit more, and plenty that doesn’t involve shopping, so take a look and have a great time.

SATURDAY:

We’ve got a wine walk weekend coming our way, come rain, snow, or shine. This one could get a little blustery; there’s a storm moving in. I’m just grateful that Mother Nature waited until after the parade and trick-or-treat night to send us some winter.

Welcome to November, Carson City. 2017 is plugging right along: summer is behind us and the holiday season is on its way. Take a breath and enjoy this moment of autumn. Get your dose of jazz at Living the Good Life. This week’s jam is led by Tom Stryker’s Impromptu. The Westside Pour House invites you to their first mid-week karaoke night, and ladies will be treated to drink specials. Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge brings the boys of J and M Productions into the house every Wednesday for an over 18 karaoke party.

What a weekend. Now that Nevada Day is over, we can truly focus on Halloween. Take a trip to the hospital: Carson Tahoe is throwing its annual Spooktacular Stroll, complete with candy, prizes, a bounce house, and more. Head up to Virginia City if you’d like some thrills. The Mackay Mansion is open for its second annual haunted house, even though it’s got a reputation for being haunted year-round. Douglas kids will enjoy a Halloween party at the local Minden Library.

Chances are, you’ll need to recover from yesterday a little. Downtown Carson City has you covered with a ‘Sunday, Bloody Mary Sunday’ bloody mary contest in Arlington Square. Get your trick-or-treat on at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada or at the historic Wungnema House at the east end of Mills Park. Grand Entrance at the La Ka Lel Be Pow Wow begins at 12 p.m. Its new home at the Multi-purpose Athletic Center (MAC) has let the annual event become even bigger. You’ve got one last chance to get your fill of cotton candy and the Ferris Wheel: the RSVP Nevada Day Carnival closes at 8 p.m.

SUNDAY:

It’s Nevada Day weekend, and that means the annual parade and festivities will bombard downtown Carson City with thousands of revelers. I made the decision to put all of the parade related events into a separate list for a few reasons: one, this list would be way too long otherwise; two, Halloween fun is plentiful all weekend long; and three, I want my list to be as easy to read as possible. Read on for events throughout Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton, Silver and Virginia Cities.

The countdown continues. Nevada Day is observed Friday, so get ready for an action-packed three-day weekend. Head down to Old Town Dayton for their annual Haunted Hayrides into History. You’ll find games, refreshments, Ghostly Pioneers, and it’s the perfect place for your costume. The Boys and Girls Club invites you to their ‘Lights on Afterschool’ event with an ice cream social, face painting, games, bounce house, S.T.E.M. labs and more. A Dodgeball battle at the Multi-Purpose Athletic Center raises money for Domestic Abuse Awareness.

Oh, wow, I just got a glance at the date. With the gorgeous weather planned for today, it’s hard to believe that Christmas is two months away. Let’s celebrate the holidays right in front of us first. The kids aren’t going to want to miss out on the Carson City Boo-nanza: trick or treating at the Community Center, crafts and activities at the Library, and Hotel Transylvania on the screen at the Aquatic Center. DJ Trivia is looking to expand their team of Trivia-masters: head to Red’s Old 395 tonight if you’d like to audition, or just play.

I hope you’ve got your Halloween costume ready. A week of various Halloween activities, trick-or-treats, and festivities for the kids begins tomorrow with the first ever Boo-nanza: a family-friendly collaboration between the Community Center, Carson City Library, and Aquatic Center. Tonight, the over 21 crowd gets to enjoy a costume contest at Alatte inside the Carson Nugget, with many more parties on the way.

We have arrived at my favorite week of the year. I am a great lover of all things Nevada Day, and it’s practically moments away. Luckily, we have plenty to keep us busy until Saturday. Two new art exhibits have appeared over the weekend: the annual Nevada Day Show at the Nevada Artists Association gallery, and ‘Inspirations’ at the Community Development Building, across from City Hall on Proctor.

Nevada Day is just around the corner, but don’t jump the gun. This weekend offers fun for the young and young-at-heart. If you’ve got more apples than you know what to do with, the Greenhouse Garden Center has a cider press available today. Play BINGO for a good cause at the Carson City Senior Center, and don’t forget your costume. Carson City Symphony Association begins their 34th Season today with a concert at the Bob Boldrick Theater; as always, those under 18 get free admission.

SUNDAY:

Welcome back to the weekend, readers. Halloween stuff is plentiful (go HERE for a complete list of upcoming activities), pumpkins are patched, the ghosts are walking, and there are loads of events to keep you, your friends and family entertained. The Harvest Train at the Nevada Railroad Museum is a fun treat for kids of all ages. It’s time for the annual all-day downtown Ghost Walk. From 10 a.m.

The weekend is almost here, bringing with it early Halloween parties, the Advocates to End Domestic Violence ‘Light up the Dark’ Run/walk, and even more fun at the Nevada Railroad Museum. For now, you may as well enjoy the day we’ve been given.

Every season brings a new kind of beauty to our valley. Just like the changing leaves, our art galleries are constantly evolving. You’re almost out of time to enjoy the ART from UNR display in the Community Development Building behind Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. If you attend the Capital City Arts Initiative's Nevada Neighbors talk tonight, you’ll have plenty of time to check it out. CCAI has invited curator Michele Quinn to present an illustrated talk on the rising art scene in Las Vegas.

I don’t know what is about Tuesdays in our valley, but they’re hopping. Join Parks and Recreation as they take a walk to the Kings Canyon Waterfall, one of Carson City’s not-so-hidden treasures. Enjoy the Carson High Orchestra during their Fall Concert at the Bob Boldrick Theater tonight at 7 p.m. It’s Adult Coloring Night at the Carson City Library: bring your favorite doodle book, or choose from one of theirs. Know-it-alls can strut their stuff during DJ Trivia at Fox Brewpub, or at the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint.