chocolate

Whether you scent your linens, buy perfumed soaps, add it as a food flavoring, make essential oils or simply enjoy its flowers, lavender is a garden delight. On a warm summer morning, you will find it covered in bees collecting nectar and pollen. Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English lavender, is the hardiest species for our area.

Celebrate Lake Tahoe’s most prestigious food, wine, spirit and brew festival this fall at the 31st Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival September 9-11.

Presented by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and held at Northstar California Resort, the three-day festival features hands-on mixology and cooking classes, food, wine and craft beer pairings, a Farm-to-Tahoe dinner, tastings held at mid-mountain, and family-friendly events — all culminating in Sunday’s Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting.

Tickets for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s wildly popular holiday adventure to the North Pole via The Polar Express train will go on sale starting Friday, Aug. 19 at 6 a.m.

Need some ideas to get past the workweek hump? Some fresh fruits and veggies at the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market aren't a bad place to start. Karaoke at Crossroads Lounge is hosted by J and M Productions: they have 60,000 songs to choose from. Trivia junkies won't want to miss the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Westside Pour House. “So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it. Thank you.” Don't miss out on seeing Gene Wilder on the big screen: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is at Galaxy Theater.

WEDNESDAY:

The weekend isn’t over, but it’s beginning to wind down. Catch the Pet Parade as part of Dayton’s Oodles of Noodles Festival. Everyone is welcome to join in at the BMX Track at the Livermore Sports Complex: Olympic Day means free racing and no membership required. Head to Eagle Valley Golf Course for a free Family Golf Clinic.

SUNDAY:

Last weekend the cyclists ruled our city, but now the hot-rodders are king of the road. The Rockabilly Riot is jam-packed with activities all over town: the races and booths at Mills Park; a street dance at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar; a tattoo show in the Community Center; a free concert at Gold Dust West; and Burlesque at the Nugget. Don’t think that’s all our valley has to offer, though, keep reading for all this weekend’s fun.

SATURDAY:

The Sands Regency’s 18th Annual EuroFest brings together free, live entertainment, a wide variety of European cuisine, more than 70 European and craft beers and a multitude of craft booths to provide Reno with a fun-filled celebration of culture for all ages. It is free to attend the event and proceeds benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Hello fellow anglers, well the big kids have had there opening fishing day. Now it is time to the little kids to shine. On June 3-4, the 27th annual Lampe Park Free Kids Fishing derby will kick off the season for 2016. This event is open to all kids ages 3 through 12.

The final event of the Senior Project happens April 18 and Carson High School reserves the entire school day to these momentous, rigorous, relevant, and result driven speeches. The excitement at CHS is intense as these seniors dress for the occasion, dawning everything from professional business attire to scrubs depending on the nature of their projects. Though college and career are just around the corner, a feeling of anticipation, excitement, and soon-to-be graduation flows through the air at CHS.

The Reno Aces Baseball Club and Professional Sports Catering have revamped and reinvented the menus at Bugsy’s BBQ and Duffy’s Ale House within Greater Nevada Field’s premises. Additional game day concepts for the 2016 season include three new signature concession brands and partnerships with local food hotspots, including Wild Garlic pizza, Flocchini sausage and hot dogs made in Carson City and Sierra Meats burger meat.

Who are the people in your neighborhood? Head to the Carson City Downtown Business Association’s monthly wine walk and you’ll be surprised at how many of them you’ll find.

Whether they are helping pour wine, showing off their shop, or a bundled up part of the crowd, it’s one event that brings everyone together. Rain, snow, or shine the wine walk showcases our historic downtown and the great restaurants, shops, services, and watering holes to be found there.

It’s Presidents Day weekend with a Valentine’s Day cherry on top. There is still time for some shopping if you’re looking for something for your special someone. Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery hosts its annual Champagne and Jewelry party Saturday and offers some amazing hand-crafted bling for your sweetheart. Carson Mall is another great bet for last minute gifts. Several crafters, vendors, and shops make it easy to find something unique. The annual Feast of Chocolate returns to the Plaza Event Center; raising funds for scholarships has never tasted so good.

SATURDAY:

Join your friends and neighbors downtown as more than 30 shops, restaurants, businesses, and organizations stock up on wine and goodies and throw open their doors for the Downtown Business Association Wine Walk. Valentine’s Day is just a week away, and this is the perfect opportunity to find a one of a kind gift for your one of a kind sweetheart. The day is predicted to be sunny around 50 degrees, so it won’t be anything we can’t handle. You'll have until 5 p.m. to hit as many stops as possible before the raffle begins.

An all you can eat chocolate buffet, raffle of gift baskets, and a silent auction. Money raised from this event is for local scholarships (awarded annually by the Capital Branch of the American Association of University Women) and the Educational Opportunities Fund.

Admission is $15.00 in advance or $20.00 at the door.
For advance tickets call 775-267-4515

Saturday, February 13, 2016

2:00 to 4:00 PM

Carson City Plaza Hotel Event Center
211 E. 9th Street
Carson City

Seems like just yesterday it was Thanksgiving, and now we’ve arrived at Christmas Eve. Last minute shopping trips, cooking baking, and non-stop holiday movies are all on the menu for today. And keep the hot chocolate close; it’s going to be chilly. Please drive safely. The last minute crunch can be stressful, but icy roads are a force to be reckoned with.

THURSDAY: Christmas Eve

• Carson City School District Winter Break

Celebrate New Year’s Day 2016 with Nevada State Parks. Guided hikes led by park rangers and local volunteers will be offered at State Parks throughout Nevada as part of the nationwide First Day Hikes Program. Nevada State Parks is waiving entrance fees for all first day hikers.

This week's It's Your City with host Cortney Bloomer features Carson High senior Taylor Weddell who is organizing an attempt to break a world record by getting the community to rally this Saturday to create the world's largest human Christmas Tree.

Become a World Record Holder in the Guinness Book of World Records and raise funds for a great cause! The attempt at the ‘World’s Largest Human Christmas Tree' will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 at the Carson High School Football Field. Gates open at 10 a.m., and the record attempt begins at 11 a.m. This is an all-ages event, but keep in mind the cold weather and participants must STAND STILL for six minutes for the record to count. Please wear red, green, or brown clothing.

Senior student Taylor Weddell presents the following information about her senior project. “At Carson High, every senior participates in a Senior Project, I wanted to do something completely different and still help some kind of organization or group. I jumped at the opportunity to participate in an event that brings a community together, raises funds and breaks a world record. It was a little intimidating for sure, but I’m working closely with the Board of Directors of the Carson City Schools Foundation and learning so much in the process.

Happy Sunday. There’s still plenty of weekend left. Craft fairs at Carson Lanes and the Carson Colony are sure to have something for that hard to buy for person on your list. Fight the chill with chili at the Carson Bulldog Wrestling Club’s Chili Cook-off at Yogurt Beach. Sing some holiday songs at the Holiday Karaoke Sing-along Party at the Carson City Library. Dayton lights up its tree tonight at ‘Our Park,’ so dress in your ugliest sweater and enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies at their ‘Small Town Christmas’ celebration.

SUNDAY:

Cookies, Cocoa and Cram: Finals are around the corner. Link crew leaders are ready to help you study for your exams. Most semester exams are worth twenty percent of your overall grade. Think you have it all figured out? Have a Link leader check your work.

Hot chocolate, Santa, soup, and song made the annual Silver and Snowflakes Festival a success. The annual event co-sponsored by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce and the Redevelopment Committee brought young and old downtown to watch the Capitol light up.

A Christmas Fair in Telegraph Square featured entertainment by the Carson Middle School Band, the Carson High Chamber Choir, and the Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers. Craft booths for the kids, vendors, and a roaming Grinch were all a part of the action. Santa’s appearance was the icing on the cake.

Have you been naughty or nice this year? You’ll have no problem finding Jolly Old St. Nick this weekend. At Debug Computers where, in exchange for a donation to Holiday with a Hero, you can get a photo with the man in red. The Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum is a good place to grab a candy cane, some hot cocoa, and tell him what you’d like to find under the tree. Photographs with Santa are available at the Carson Mall Wednesday through Sunday. Genoa’s annual Breakfast with Santa has three seatings beginning at 8:30 a.m.

SATURDAY:

Join your Dayton neighbors on Sunday for the annual tree lighting and visit from Santa Claus. Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. Santa will arrive at Our Park at the west end of Dayton. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate with live music by Rick Radecki. Don't forget your ugliest Christmas sweater: a contest for the worst of the worst is new this year.

Bring a gently used coat or something non-perishable for a chance to be this year's official tree lighter!

You better watch out, you better not cry, or you may be walking the plank. Santa Claus is coming to town, but he'll be arriving on the U.S.S. Nevada Burning Man Art Car instead of his usual sleigh. He will be escorted by some scurvy pirate elves. Come down to Telegraph Square in Downtown Carson City Saturday, Dec. 12 for the Christmas Parade sponsored by Carson City Downtown 20/20.

Chestnuts will be roasting at the Carson City Elks booth on Telegraph Street this Friday as thousands assemble to hear the Carson City School District Fifth Graders sing traditional carols on the steps of the capitol as part of the Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights.

It’s the last day of November, and there has been no shortage of wintery weather. Take advantage of the season by hitting the ice at Arlington Square. The weekday afternoon special for elementary and middle school kids includes free skate rental and hot chocolate. Watch the Ravens take on the Browns at Empire Ranch Golf Course, and partake in their weekly buffet. Get into the swing of things with the High Sierra Swing Dance Club’s night out at El Charro Avita.

MONDAY:

This week's It's Your City with Cortney Bloomer looks to Friday night's annual Carson City holiday traditions: The Christmas tree lighting at the Nevada State Capitol Building and the Empty Bowls Project. Cortney talks with Robin McGregor of the Empty Bowls Project, which benefits Friends In Service Helping, also known as FISH and with Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.

See the video below.

This week's It's Your City with Cortney Bloomer looks to Friday night's annual Carson City holiday traditions: The Christmas tree lighting at the Nevada State Capitol Building and the Empty Bowls Project. Cortney talks with Robin McGregor of the Empty Bowls Project, which benefits Friends In Service Helping, also known as FISH and with Ronni Hannaman of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce about the tree lighting.

The Polar Express on the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad has sold out for the fifth consecutive year, with more than 15,000 passengers securing rides to the North Pole.

A wait list sign-up is available online here that could offer a last chance to ride the Polar Express in 2015. Tickets for next year’s holiday train go on sale in August 2016.