CASA

Friday has arrived and it’s bringing with it a valley full of good times. The sixth annual Hopefest Concert and Fundraiser at Carson Tahoe Hospital kicks off at 5 p.m. Enjoy food trucks, live music with the Waybacks, and more at the free, family friendly event. McFadden Plaza is where you’ll find Jazz and Beyond’s concert with the Jackie Landrum Band, Living the Good Life is serving up a performance by Prey for Son, or take the stage yourself at Carson Lanes’ karaoke. Today’s list is chock-full of options, so keep reading and have a great day.

The weekend is quickly approaching, but don’t rush past the fun that Thursday has to offer. Check out the Jazz and Beyond offerings: Carolyn Dolan with members of the Reno Jazz Orchestra at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall or music with the New World Jazz Project on the Adele’s Veranda. Telegraph Square will be abuzz with art and music as the third Community Art Night takes place: bring something non-perishable for the F.I.S.H. food bank and an appetite for food truck offerings.

McFadden Plaza will be hopping tonight. Not only is there a Farmers Market late Wednesday afternoons, but Josh and Jenera have returned to the Firkin and Fox to host a weekly jam session. You'll find John and Cherie Shipley jazzing it up at Living the Good Life, and Glen Eagles Restaurant welcomes Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher to their lounge every Wednesday through Saturday night to entertain you.

WEDNESDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

Happy Tuesday, Carson City. The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West has returned and will be at the Community Center tonight, if you were quick enough to grab free tickets from the Chamber of Commerce. Join the ladies of Muscle Powered for a mountain bike ride through beautiful Ash Canyon. Hear the stories and legends of the Washoe People in their native language with translations into English at the Carson Valley Cultural Center. Continue on for even more to do.

Carson kids have one last week to lay about, while their neighbors in Douglas and Lyon County are headed back to school. Jazz and Beyond continues with some fun times downtown. Me and Bobby McGee will appear in the Comma Courtyard, followed by the Rosebud Dance Band in the McFadden Plaza. Head to the Carson City Library to meet the Heroes of the Carson City Fire Department as part of the ongoing series, ‘What’s up in your community?’ Keep reading for all of Monday’s options.

I hope you like live music, Carson City, because tonight you’ve got plenty of it. No matter what your style, there is someone for you. Take the kids to the Nevada State State Train Museum for Lucky Diamond and the Gents of Jive or to the McFadden Plaza for an outdoor concert with Musicole. Leave the kids with a sitter if you’re going to head to Living the Good Life for some outdoor fun with CV-41 or inside the Westside Pour House with reggae group Whiskey Lung. A to Zen has a store-wide scavenger hunt to accompany their weekly open Mic.

Holy busy day, Batman! Carson City is abuzz with options. Art lovers won’t want to miss out on the Diversity Invitational Photography Show opening tonight at Mystique downtown. Learn about the history of Jazz with a free presentation by John Shipley in the Brewery Arts Center’s Performance Hall. Take the kids to the Carson Library for movie night: The Sandlot is fun for all. Sierra Surgery welcomes you to the grand opening of the new Carson Tahoe Breast Center. And the list goes on: keep reading for all of Thursday’s things to do.

THURSDAY:

What a fun Wednesday in store for Carson City. The usual options of Geeks Who Drink Trivia at Westside Pour House, Country Line Dancing at Carson Lanes, and the Farmers Market in McFadden Plaza still apply. Throw in some great music on the veranda at Adele's, a Ukulele Jam at Mormon Station in Genoa, and a Vintage Chevy Meet-up in Virginia City and things get a little more random. Crossroads Lounge is hosting their last Wednesday night karaoke this week; a new night and time will be announced soon. Carson Hot Springs invites all Veterans and Military members to come swim for free today.

Today is a perfect day for the great outdoors. Go explore the Ormsby Fire Road and the Historic Pioneer Cemetery with Carson Parks and Rec. Kids won’t want to miss the Bike Safety Rodeo in Silver City. Enjoy the Mile High Jazz Band this evening in the Comma Coffee Courtyard: special guest vocalists Cindee LeVal, Jakki Ford, and June Joplin make this a ‘don’t miss’ event. Wander up Longview Trail with Muscle Powered for some amazing views. It’s going to be a beautiful day, keep reading for all the ways you can enjoy our capital valley.

TUESDAY:

Just a few more weeks until the kids head back to school, so get out and enjoy the summer while you can. Jazz and Beyond brings a free outdoor concert to the Minnesota Street Stage at the Brewery Arts Center this evening. It’s the Carson Dreamers tonight, but you can go HERE for all of the upcoming music festival events. The Nevada Arts Council welcomes Justin Favela’s new exhibit to their OXS Gallery with a reception and talk by the artist.

Fifteen days of non-stop music begins tonight at the Bliss Mansion with the Jazz and Beyond Garden Party; don’t miss out on the fabulous art show, tours of the historic home, and great jams. Downtown will be rocking tonight as the Carson High Class of 86 celebrates their reunion in Telegraph Square with two live bands. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Just down the street, Living the Good Life welcomes Southbound Train followed by DJ Bobby G. Fuji Park is the place to be for cowboys, broncs, and a great concert celebrating Carson City.

Wine walk weekend is almost upon us, along with the kick-off of the Jazz and Beyond Music Festival featuring more than 100 musicians in over 60 events in just fifteen days. Hot August Nights is heating up and will be stopping at Minden Park for their Poker Run lunch. Sing your heart out during karaoke at Living the Good Life or Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. Join Muscle Powered on an early morning hike to Secret Harbor or a late afternoon bike ride.

Welcome to Wednesday, Carson City. The week keeps on rolling along and every day brings some new kind of fun. Kick up your heels at Carson Lanes: Country Line dance lessons tonight. Westside Pour House hosts the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz each week; it’s a great excuse to grab some friends and fight for bragging rights. The launch party of ‘The Studio’ at the Adams Hub on Proctor Street invites you tour the building, learn about the incubator’s resources, meet some of Carson’s movers and shakers, and enjoy some treats.

Holy Tuesday, Batman! Today is jam-packed full of options around our valley. A walk with Parks and Rec, a movie viewing with the Classic Cinema Club, and life-sized board games at the Library are all on the docket for today. The big story, of course, is National Night Out with the Carson City Sheriff's Department. Free food, activities, fun, and even an aircraft or two descend on Mills Park for the annual party.

August means many things: Hot August Nights, the Jazz and Beyond Music Festival, the return of football, and the last few weeks of summer vacation. The construction downtown is showing signs of advancement with the recent completion of the Bob McFadden Plaza.

The second annual Carson City Kiwanis Johnny Cash Tribute Concert is pulling into the station on August 13, 2016. Jimmie Ray and Cyndi Cantrell and the Black Train will be headlining at Piper’s Opera House for two shows on that day, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“Mi Casa es Mi Casa” means my home is my home. In the Nevada Arts Council’s latest OXS Gallery exhibit, Justin Favela looks at the idea of “home.” A native Nevadan, Favela is proud to be from the Battle Born State and also pays homage to his Guatemalan maternal grandmother by recreating objects found in her home. Objects that have been part of the domestic landscape for his entire life have helped form his identity, and in the exhibition, represent the love he has for his grandmother and her home.

I'm chomping at the bit for Saturday: the Taste of Downtown is almost here. It is one of my absolute favorite events, and one of the most delicious. Grab your tickets at Classy Seconds Thrift Store or the Purple Avocado. A jazz jam with Tom Stryker at Living the Good Life is a great way to soothe the soul.

The Signs of Abuse or Neglect May be Difficult to Recognize. Join us for this free event that helps to shed light on child abuse and neglect, and discusses what you can do to help.

The event is June 29, 2016, 4:00 - 7:00 pm, Valley View Room; Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. Refreshments will be served. This is a FREE event.

Reservations must be made to http://www.carsontahoe.com/wellness

Guest Speakers:
Special Master Kimberly Okezie, Juvenile Court - An update on the state of child abuse and neglect in our community.

Go for broke this Wednesday. Or you could go for Baroque this evening with the Tahoe Symphony at Corpus Christi Church just south of town. Another good bet is karaoke at Crossroads Lounge: it’s in the East Winnie Lane shopping center with San Marcos Grill and Bleu Café. The West Side Cruiser Ride for Bike Month is a sure thing. Meet at the Brewery Art Center, costumes are highly encouraged, and then meander around our beautiful downtown with some other fun people. Living the Good Life wants you to enjoy a music jam; bring your instrument if you want to sit in.

Carson Tahoe Health is hosting a “Child Abuse and Neglect Symposium” on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. to help shed light on the signs of child abuse or neglect, and what can be done to help in our community.

It's going to be toasty today. Luckily, weekly Parks and Rec 'Easy Walk' starts at 8 a.m., so you'll be off the trail before the sun gets too far overhead. The Brewery Arts Center hosts the Carson City Classic Cinema Club the first Tuesday of each month; join them this evening for trivia and a showing of John Wayne's 'Stagecoach.' Dance the night away to the sounds of big band or cowboys: swing dance lessons are at El Charro Avita, while country line dancing can be found in the Eleventh Frame Lounge at Carson Lanes.

TUESDAY: Bike to Work Week

Spring fever is upon many of us, probably worst of all among the school kids. Let the Carson High School bands and theater program show off their stuff one last time before the end of the year; you'll find them at the Community Center at 7 p.m. It's also the time of year that sees more walkers and bicyclists on our sidewalks and roadways. Join Muscle Powered this evening as they participate in the 13th Annual Ride of Silence to remember those who have been hurt or killed while riding on public streets.

You are invited to the CASA of Carson City Information Hour, June 7 at 5:30 pm. We are located in the Family Court complex at 1539 E. 5th Street. Drive straight in to the back of the parking lot and you will see our big CASA sign on the door.

You will be able to ask your questions about who CASA Volunteers are and the important service they provide for our community's children in an easy informal gathering. ALL of your questions will be answered. No pressure or obligation, just information.

For more information:
email: casaofcc@earthlink.net
call: 882-6776
visit: CASAofCC.org

I recently wrote an article about child welfare needs in Carson City. This included the shortage of foster homes here in the Nevada state capital.

My wife, Lisa, and I were foster-to-adopt parents through the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) for a few years. I can tell you from first-hand experience that the need for people to step up and open their hearts and homes to foster children is critical.

But making a commitment as heavy as this requires preparation on multiple levels.

Imagine being awakened in the middle of the night by a stranger, escorted out into the chill of dark Nevada twilight, placed in a strange car, and driven to a strange house with more strangers who tell you everything is going to be all right.

To top it off, you are expected to go back to sleep in a strange bed.

Welcome to the world of a foster child, whose story is much the same whether it's told in Las Vegas or Battle Mountain, in Caliente or Carson City.

What to do on a Wednesday? The tiny little town of Silver City on the way to Virginia City has an amazing arts community: resident artist Scott MacLeod has his final sculpture workshop this afternoon: the found object ship he’s building is incredible. Feed your soul and your belly with music and great food at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint or Living the Good Life. Sing your heart out with J and M Productions at Crossroads Lounge’s karaoke night. Let some classic cinema into your life with a big screen viewing of ‘On the Waterfront’ at the Galaxy Theater.

WEDNESDAY:

Have you ever wanted to be a roller derby girl? If so, check out the Carson Victory Rollers off skate workshop that begins tonight. Living the Good Life is the place to be for some fun jazz with Rocky and Judith. Sassafras is known for serving up something different, and tonight a free show with Difficult Children and Taste Buds is what's on the menu. Check out today's event list and see all that Carson City has to offer today.

WEDNESDAY:

• ’For Detail View’ by artist Jeff Hantman at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

The annual Pinwheel Planting Ceremony on the Legislative Lawn in Carson City will be on Friday, April 8, 11 a.m. for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Help plant pinwheels on the lawn at the legislature with community members. Wear blue for 'Go Blue Day.'

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down Medical Parkway. The annual Eggstravaganza returns to the Carson Tahoe Medical Center this afternoon with fun for kids of all ages. You’ll find Moses parting the Red Sea on the big screen, as The Ten Commandments makes its way to the Galaxy Theater as part of their Classic Movie Series. City Manager, Nick Marano, is the featured speaker at the monthly ‘Soup’s On’ Luncheon sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy the evening with a Jazz Jam at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint or karaoke at Crossroads Lounge.

WEDNESDAY: