cocktails

Chef David Stern is literally counting the hours until his new restaurant opens its doors in downtown Carson City.

What’s this? A weekend with no snow in sight? That’s the best news I’ve heard in months. Welcome to the wrestlers and swimmers who are in town for their respective tournaments: you’ll find other fun things on this list to occupy your downtime. It’s a St. Patty’s celebration in Virginia City this weekend with the parade, Rocky Mountain Oyster Fest, and Ball Buster Saloon Crawl. Bragging rights are on the line at the Sixth Annual Thirsty Boy Homebrew Competition sponsored by Just Brew It. You’ll get a sneak peek at the soon-to-open Shoe Tree Brewery if you attend the award ceremony.

As this storm system moves in, it makes it difficult for list-makers, such as myself. I cannot predict which of these events will be affected or cancelled because of the snow. The show must go on for the kids of Youth Theater Carson City. ‘The Lion King, Jr.’ is in its final weekend of performances.

The Lyon County Republican Central Committee (LCRCC) is holding its annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Pioneer Crossing Casino, 11 North Main Street, Yerington. No host cocktails will begin at 5:30p.m. and a buffet dinner will be served at 6:30p.m. There will be a 50/50 drawing, a silent auction, a live auction and a gun raffle. Our guest speaker is Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske and our emcee is Nevada State Senator James Settelmeyer.

It's that time of year again! It's time for the Blue Bull's annual booze basket raffle to raise money for St. Jude Children's Hospital. Three baskets, each overflowing with over $300 worth of choice spirits will be raffled off to three lucky winners.

Don't miss out! Tickets are available at the Blue Bull Bar on 107 E. Telegraph St from 2:30 until we close everyday until the drawing on Jan. 2, 2017. Tickets are $3 for one ticket, $5 for three tickets, $10 for five and $20 for 20.

It’s looking like we may be in store for a white Christmas this year, but anything could happen in the next few days. Don’t wait till the last minute to get your holiday affairs in order, check out Carson City’s great little shops and art galleries for those hard-to-find gifts. Country line dancing at Carson Lanes will get your toes tapping and your blood pumping. Award-winning singer-songwriter Canyon White is a perfect companion to dinner or a few cocktails at Living the Good Life.

October is behind us and this November weekend kicks off the holiday season with craft fairs, art shows, and plenty of fun. Get a jump on those New Year’s resolutions by participating in the first of the ‘Be Bold, Run in the Cold’ 5 or 10K runs that Ascent Runs is sponsoring. Wine walk your way into autumn in our newly renovated downtown. Have a great weekend, Carson City, and keep reading for all of the local happenings.

SATURDAY:

Nevada is one of the few states that celebrate its Admission Day, and boy do we throw a party. A parade, competitions of strength and facial hair, hot air balloons, bloody marys, a carnival, pow wow, and free chili are just a few of the festivities awaiting the capital city on Saturday.

The party begins Friday this year with a ribbon cutting celebration of the 'new' downtown. The Nevada State Museum hits its 75th Anniversary this year and will have a day full of fun and surprises. Keep reading to see where you need to take advantage of all the best this holiday weekend has to offer.

It’s that time of year again. The ghosts and ghouls come out of hiding and paint the town orange. Halloween isn’t just one night around here. Combined with the festivities of Nevada Day, you can be sure to enjoy at least a week’s worth of celebrating.

Here is a comprehensive list of fall festivals, Halloween parties, and fun for all. Items in italic are for those 21 and older only.

Saturday, Oct. 22:

Hold onto your broomstick, this weekend is bound to sweep you up in Halloween fun. First you’ll need a pumpkin. The Harvest Train Festival and Pumpkin Patch at the Nevada State Railroad Museum is a good place to start. Take the costumed kids to a Trunk or Treat at Advantage Auto Works off Old Hot Springs Road courtesy of the members of Carson Cruise Meet and Greet. Team up with Mark Twain for a ghostly tour of our haunted downtown or you can choose a shorter tour that’s perfect for families. Keep reading, this is just the tip of the candy corn.

SATURDAY:

Halloween Scary-oke with Millers Entertainment! We're going to have a spooktacular event to get you ready for Halloween. Everyone who shows up in costume gets a chance to win a free drink every hour, and if you are brave enough to sing, you get another entry per song!

We'll also have a costume contest. Grand prize winner gets $50 cash + a free 3 hour karaoke party at a venue of your choice (distance limitations apply). Runner up gets a $25 bar tab, and everyone who shows up in costume gets a chance to win great raffle prizes all night long.

Hundreds of people donned leis and Hawaiian garb Sunday for the annual Boys and Girls Club Luau at the new Multi-Purpose Athletic Center.

Labor Day Weekend Highlights

Carson City:
Saturday – Monday: Take a ride on the Virginia and Truckee #25 Steam Engine at the Nevada State Train Museum. Rides begin approximately every 40 minutes, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fares are $8 for ages 12 and over; $4 for ages 4 to 11 and Museum members; and FREE for ages 3 and under.

Labor Day Weekend Highlights

Carson City:
Saturday – Monday: Take a ride on the Virginia and Truckee #25 Steam Engine at the Nevada State Train Museum. Rides begin approximately every 40 minutes, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fares are $8 for ages 12 and over; $4 for ages 4 to 11 and Museum members; and FREE for ages 3 and under.

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.

Come join us for Karaoke night hosted by Millers Entertainment. (No Cover; Must be 21).

This one will be a special Hawaiian theme to celebrate Mel turning 90! Come dressed in your favorite Hawaiian gear for a chance to win a free drink.

And as always, every singer is automatically entered into a raffle for a free drink every hour, plus we'll have great drink specials all night:

~ $2 Bud Light & Coors Light Drafts
~ $4 Hawaiian Cocktails
~ $4 Rum Punch

Order food from Alley's Diner, Wally's Pizza and/or Johnny Rockets for delivery right into the Lounge for you!

Sunday is the day before Independence Day, but Sparks is getting a jump on the festivities with their Star Spangled Sparks Celebration and fireworks. King’s Beach always celebrates early, so you can catch fireworks at the northeast end of Tahoe, as well. Keep reading: the weekend is in full swing.

SUNDAY:

• Fourth of July Special at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($38 includes 18 holes and cart)
• First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30am-11am, $7)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Pat Holub and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

Holy moly. Carson City is hopping with fun times for everyone. Enjoy Saturday downtown with the Third and Curry Farmers Market, the Downtown Business Association Wine Walk, and a free concert at the Brewery Arts Center. Mills Park features the return of the RSVP Carnival with rides, food, booths, games, and more.

Hold onto your hats, Carson City, summer has arrived with a bang. Bikes, brews, bulls and broncs are just a few of the things you’ll find on this event summary. Whether you are looking for adult fun, family fun, art, music, shopping, or something outdoorsy, look no further: Carson City and her neighboring valleys are packed full of fun.

SATURDAY:

• Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (178 mile relay race; begins at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno; legs 24-28 run through Carson City)

The changing of the monthly guard is happening. The first of May is Sunday and Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Music, theater, sports, shopping and more will be abundant in the valley this weekend, so make sure to take a good look at this weekend’s list for all of your fun options.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bill Migan and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)

Don't miss several opportunities this week to honor the most successful team members in the history of the Western Nevada College softball program. The Wildcats will hold their annual team banquet starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at Gold Dust West casino in Carson City.

April showers are coming, but that just means brighter blooms. After this morning, there will be pinwheels sprouting from the lawn in front of the Legislature, and you are welcome to help in the planting. TEDxCarsonCity makes it's debut today: stream it online here if you weren't able to get tickets. Fathers and daughters are in for a treat at the Once Upon a Time Enchanted Ball at Carson High.

FRIDAY:

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.

Let someone else take care of Sunday breakfast. The Elks Club’s monthly pancake breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m., but they’ll start serving bloody marys at 7 a.m. if you need some hair of the dog. Go for a strike at Carson Lanes with their Breakfast and Bowl special. The Capital City Community Band welcomes area elementary school choirs onstage during today’s free concert, A Salute to Young Musicians, at the Community Center.

SUNDAY:

Got kids? The Boys and Girls Club is where you want to be today for the Second Annual Early Childhood Expo. Curious George and Clifford the big red dog can’t wait to say hello. Take a trip out to the Dayton State Park to search for animal tracks and more with a park ranger. If you’re kid free today, then the Downtown Business Association Wine Walk is for you. The young and the young-at-heart will find something fun to do this weekend: just check out the whole list for your options and hit the town.

SATURDAY:

Austin’s House invites you to the eighth annual Cowboy Mardi Gras fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 26 at the Carson Valley Inn from 6 to 10 p.m. Put on your jeans and cowboy hat to celebrate the party atmosphere of Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. This casual and crazy fundraiser features great food, music, dancing, raffle prizes, and silent auction.

The eighth annual Cowboy Mardi Gras fundraiser to benefit Austin’s House will be held on Friday, Feb. 26 at the Carson Valley Inn from 6 to 10 p.m. Put on your jeans and cowboy hat to celebrate the party atmosphere of Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. This casual and crazy fundraiser features great food, music, dancing, fun games, raffle prizes, and a silent auction. Carson City Toyota-Scion and Carson Valley Medical Center sponsor this year’s celebration.

Mystique Restaurant and Lounge held a grand opening celebration Tuesday night, an event attended by dozens of supporters.

The restaurant, located downtown at 318 N. Carson Street, occupies the space formerly used by Sassafras and B’sghetti’s restaurants. Mystique opened for business in December after the Carson City Board of Supervisors approved its liquor license.

Tuesday’s grand opening celebration included 5-6 different free appetizers, live music, and free champagne to guests.

It's almost time for the weekend, but don't let Thursday slip through your fingers. Music, improv, and a book reading are here to entertain you. Check out the list below for the things to do in Carson City and the surrounding area.

THURSDAY:
•*Nate Clark's exhibition ‘Leeway’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
•*’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino hosts a crafted five-course dinner expertly paired with Patrón Barrel Select Añejo Tequila made specially for the Peppermill. Exclusive cocktails are paired with every course. The dinner was inspired by the Peppermill’s Food and Beverage Director Daniel Duran’s trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. Duran has ensured the local’s warmth and culture is infused in every dish and drink. Make reservations by calling 775.689.7160.