Historical Society of Dayton Valley

Bike month rolls right along with an evening ride under the big, beautiful moon this evening. You’ll need a helmet and bike light, of course. The evening will be just as nice Thursday, when the annual RSVP Spring Carnival opens at Mills Park. Head to Dayton for the next installment of this month’s Historical Society Lecture Series as Kay Winters reminisces on life as a farmer’s wife in the 1950s and 60s. Ev Musselman rocks the stage at the Max Casino and you’ll find John and Cherie Shipley leading the jazz jam at Living the Good Life.

WEDNESDAY:

More beautiful weather is on its way. If I seem a little excited about a little bit of sunshine, its because I am, especially after this very long, gray, wet winter. Today we celebrate the Arts in Nevada at the Legislature and salute the painters, potters, makers, sculptors, singers, dancers, actors, writers, poets, and musicians that capture all that is Nevada in their work.

May is a month to celebrate historic preservation and archaeology in Nevada.

Nevada agencies and organizations have worked to spread awareness of archaeological and historic preservation efforts throughout the state, encouraging both residents and visitors to explore and learn about Nevada’s significant archaeological and historical treasures.

The following are scheduled events throughout Nevada:

If today is any indication of how hard it is going to choose between fun activities, we have a tough few days ahead. The Carson Tahoe Spooktacular is an annual favorite for the kids, complete with treats, activities, and helicopers. It’s Family Night at the RSVP Nevada Day Carnival: thanks to Carson City Toyota-Scion, all rides are just $1. Dayton offers a Haunted Hayride through their old town history. Costumes are encouraged for this family fun event. Root beer floats await at the grand opening celebration of the newly renovated FISH.

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:

On Thursday, October 27 bring your family and friends to the annual Haunted Hayride of the Historical Society of Dayton Valley. This free event is our "give-back" to the community and celebrates Dayton history in a fun, family-friendly evening. Continuous old-fashioned hayrides will circle through an Old Town Dayton filled with ghosts of the past, all of whom share a lighthearted attitude toward their history. The evening starts at the museum, where there will also be games for the kids and light refreshments. Costumes are encouraged and kids from 0 to 102 are invited!

In celebration of Historic Preservation Month, the Carson City Historic Resources Commission will hold its 7th annual Historic Preservation Scavenger Hunt beginning Monday and running through May 31.

Since the early 1980s, May has been a month for celebrating historic preservation and archaeology in Nevada. This year, the theme acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, which helps to stabilize neighborhoods and downtowns, contributes to public education, attracts investment, creates jobs, generates tax revenues, supports small business and affordable housing, and powers Nevada’s heritage tourism industry.

I apologize, Carson City. You have some decisions to make. There is quite a bit going on whether you want something family friendly, adults only, indoors, outdoors, or a combination of it all. The weekly Farmers Market at Third and Curry St. is always a good way to start the weekend. Yummy food, a bounce house for the kids, and beautiful flowers are hard to argue with. Keep reading for enough fun to make your head spin!

SATURDAY:

• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• 21st Annual Silver Dollar Car Classic at Mills Park (8am-4pm show and shine, music, and vendors; Registration 8am-11am; Pancake Breakfast 8am-10:30am; Judging until 4pm)

I’m not going to tell you what to do, but if you’ll accept a suggestion, find yourself a hamburger. It’s National Hamburger Day during National Hamburger Month, so you might as well celebrate at the Experimental Aircraft Association's weekly burger lunch. If you like random trivia, head over to Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar in the Nugget for their trivia night. Or burn off that burger with some salsa dancing at El Charro Avita or country line dancing at Beercade.

THURSDAY:

• CCAI Exhibit: Tuscarora, by artist Ron Arthaud at the Carson City Community Center’s Sierra Room (available during public meetings and most evenings 5pm-8pm)
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Get over the mid-week hump with some live music. Dave Leather will entertain with some lunchtime Americana and Blues at Comma Coffee. The weekly Jazz Jam at Sassafras enjoys the return of the talented Tristan Selzler. Popular duo, Tany Jane, plays at Living the Good Life. Enjoy Joe LaChew at Z Bistro or Terry and Craig at Glen Eagles during dinner. The Carson High School Choir is at Bob Boldrick Theater this evening for their end of year performance.

WEDNESDAY:

• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Do you want to meet an author or play with clay? Luckily, both of those are available to you today. The Friends of the Carson City Library are hosting Rockin’ Rev. Ken Haskins and Carson City Pottery needs help getting ready for an Empty Bowls bowl making event. Dancing shoes are perfect for salsa dance lessons at El Charro’s, but you may want cowboy boots for line dance lessons at Beercade. Practice those newly learned dance moves at Living the Good Life: DJ Bobby G is featuring Latin music. Sing to your heart’s content at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar or at the Feisty Goat Pub: it’s karaoke night.

THURSDAY: Bike to Work Week

• Last Day to RSVP for the May Carson City Leisure Hour Club meeting on Wednesday, May 20 with speaker Sherry Rupert, Executive Director of the State of Nevada Indian Commission (call Dorothy Link at (775) 885-2542 to RSVP)
• ’The Driest State: Nevada Watersheds’ by artist Nolan Preese at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Poetry, art, and theater today in Carson City. All day long, the CCAI exhibit, Tuscarora, will be visible in the Sierra Room as the Board of Supervisors conduct their meeting. Head over to the Legislature for ‘RenoScapes,’ the final SENarts ‘Works of Artists’ program this season; check out the LXS Exhibit by artist Dawn Dot Star while you are there, it will be changing next week. Teens are invited to learn some acting and improv skills at the Carson City Library this afternoon. Nevada Arts Council Fellowship winners, Laura Wetherington and Jared Stanley, will be sharing their poetry and honored at a reception today at Western Nevada College.

THURSDAY:

• Turkish Day at the Legislature
• National Day of Prayer (7:30 in Room 3100 of the Legislature AND 11am on the Capitol steps
• CCAI Exhibit: Tuscarora, by artist Ron Arthaud at the Carson City Community Center’s Sierra Room (available during public meetings and most evenings 5pm-8pm)

Can you believe that it’s the last day of April? The last few months have zipped right along while we were waiting for winter, but now it’s time to start embracing spring before summer arrives. The annual Genoa Cowboy Festival kicks off tonight with a Barn Dance and Bar-be-que, and Virginia City hosts its famous Chili on the Comstock competition this weekend, but Carson City has a great line up of fun for you, as well, this weekend. Start out with some great live music tonight with the Trippin King Snakes at Carson Cigar Co., Chris Costa at Living the Good Life, or Glen Eagle’s regulars, Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher.

THURSDAY:

• Outdoor Pools: Half-Price for Everyone at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm)
• Fifth Annual Dining Out For Life at Adele’s (25% of proceeds donated for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)

Can you believe that it’s the last day of April? The last few months have zipped right along while we were waiting for winter, but now it’s time to start embracing spring before summer arrives. The annual Genoa Cowboy Festival kicks off tonight with a Barn Dance and Bar-be-que, and Virginia City hosts its famous Chili on the Comstock competition this weekend, but Carson City has a great line up of fun for you, as well, this weekend. Start out with some great live music tonight with the Trippin King Snakes at Carson Cigar Co., Chris Costa at Living the Good Life, or Glen Eagle’s regulars, Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher.

THURSDAY:

• Outdoor Pools: Half-Price for Everyone at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm)
• Fifth Annual Dining Out For Life at Adele’s (25% of proceeds donated for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)

Since the early 1980s, May has been a month for celebrating historic preservation and archaeology in Nevada. Agencies and organizations have teamed to spread awareness of archaeological and historic preservation efforts throughout the state and encourage both residents and visitors to explore and learn about Nevada’s significant archaeological and historical treasures.

Carson City Events:

Dayton residents were treated Saturday to a day-long celebration of the town, circa 1864, with “Discover Gold in Dayton, Again,” a living-history event presented by The Historical Society of Dayton Valley to commemorate the town’s many firsts in Nevada’s history: as the location of the first gold discovery which took place in 1849; as the first permanent settlement, founded in 1851; as the site of Lyon County’s first courthouse, opened in 1864; and also as the site of Nevada’s first marriage and first divorce.

The Historical Society of Dayton Valley hosts “Discover Gold in Dayton, Again,” as part of the Nevada 150th celebration, Saturday, May 17 in Old Town Dayton. Everyone is invited to come celebrate the community’s “firsts."

It is the location of Nevada’s first gold discovery which took place in 1849. It was the Silver State’s first permanent settlement, founded in 1851 and is the site of Lyon County’s first courthouse, opened in 1864. It is also the site of Nevada’s first marriage and ironically, the first divorce, as well, Docent Lauri Emerich, said. “We have a lot to celebrate.”

Dayton will be the place for family-friendly fun this weekend with something for everyone: a morning run in Dayton’s beautiful “outback”, a huge pasta festival, hands-on learning at the River Festival, free immunizations and historical tours.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, U.S. Congressman Dean Heller, and Assemblyman Tom Grady joined Lyon County area officials to witness the striking of the first Lyon County sesquicentennial commemorative medallion at Dayton’s Northwest Territorial Mint on Tuesday.

Lyon County Commissioners, Sheriff, school trustees, superintendent, and members of the Historical Society of Dayton Valley were among those who attended the event and tour of the Mint with the Governor and other dignitaries.

Some good news from the Burning Man folks. Maybe some critics swill have second thoughts. Black Rock City, LLC, the organization that hosts the annual Burning Man event, has announced it will donate $97,200 in proceeds from ice sales at the 2010 event to various charitable, art and service organizations in Northern Nevada.

If you’re looking for old-fashioned Halloween events, you’re in luck. Two big events will be held in Old Town Dayton on Oct. 29.

Dayton Valley Days Committee is welcoming entries to both the general parade on Saturday, September 18, and to the Pet Parade on Sunday, September 19, 2010. This year’s parade will feature retired Nevada State Archivist Guy Rocha and well-known Dayton Valley rancher Kay Winters as Grand Marshals. To register for either parade, see www.daytonvalleydays.org