Jack C. Davis Observatory

It’s almost like Christmas Day for some of us locals: the long awaited Taste of Downtown has finally arrived. Food, drink, live music, rubbing elbows with friends and neighbors, and a new wine-tasting add-on make this one of the best parties of the year. The morning brings an unparalleled opportunity: you’ve got one chance to walk, run, or bike right down the middle of the freeway before the new bypass is open to vehicle traffic alone. Grab your favorite four-legged friend and head to Adele’s: Dining for Dog Town is a delicious way to help out this amazing rescue organization.

What to do, what to do? That’s the question that starts most every weekend. If you’ve got kids, test their mettle at the annual Capitol City Triathlon. Open to kids of all ages, they will bike, run, and swim their way to the finish line. The third annual Sassabration event kicks off with a multi-colored, costume bike parade from the Brewery Arts Center to the celebration at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint. Multiple bands, vendors, non-profit booths, free swimming at the Carson Hot Springs, not to mention the yummy food and drink available make this a not-to-be-missed festival.

On a clear night, it’s often visible from Earth. For nearly 20 years, this inhabited satellite has served as a research laboratory for crew members’ experiments in physics, astronomy, biology, meteorology and human biology.

It’s wine walk weekend, and depending on what kinds of days off you get, potentially the beginning of a four-day weekend. We will be celebrating the birthday of the United States of America on Tuesday, but there are some fun events to enjoy now. Catch the Parade of Trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park. Keep reading for all the exciting options in Carson City and beyond.

SATURDAY:

Let the good times roll, Carson City. Cars, chrome, choppers, and kruzers are in abundance. Run Whatcha Brung at Fuji Park is open to any and all cars that can get themselves there. The Rockabilly Riot and T Bucket Alliance at Mills Park is an American Graffiti flashback. Cheer on our local motorcycle cops at the Extreme Motor Challenge, or hop on your own bike and go on a poker run with the Lords of Iron Motorcycle Club.

SATURDAY:

The weekend hasn’t even started, and I’m already exhausted just trying to decide what to do first! Live music, races, activities, and much more await you downtown as part of the Carson City Off-Road. Stewart Indian School is awash in bright colors, beadwork, and dancers from all across the country during their annual Fathers’ Day Pow Wow. Congratulations to the Show Tree Brewing Company by the Carson Hot Springs; their big grand opening bash includes multiple bands. Keep reading – this weekend has a whole lot to offer.

SATURDAY:

Space exploration buffs won’t want to miss the upcoming presentation of Northern Nevada lecturer Mike Thomas at Western Nevada College.

Although Galileo Galilei has been dead for 375 years, the Italian astronomer’s discoveries and philosophies are still impacting people worldwide.

It may be April’s Fools Day, but the fun going on around town is no joke. Get your blood pumping with the Carson Canyon Half Marathon (or Half/Half Marathon if you want something shorter.) It’s Wine Walk weekend, and with the sunny day you have no reason to stay home. The Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers want to ‘Give Our Regards to Broadway’ during their one weekend only production. There’s too much to mention in this short opening paragraph, so keep reading for all the great things our valley and sister valleys have to offer.

SATURDAY:

One of the world’s great minds in theoretical physics will be the topic for lecturer Mike Thomas on Saturday, March 11 at Western Nevada College in Carson City.

Thomas will lecture on Stephen Hawking, the renowned English theoretical physicist, at 6:30 p.m. at Jack C. Davis Observatory.

Nevada System of High Education’s Board of Regents recently recognized a Western Nevada College student and professor for distinguishing themselves academically.

What a great start to March. A few days on sunshine under our belt and now it’s wine walk weekend. With fingers crossed, the weather should hold out until it’s over, but be prepared for some wind. The Shrine Circus is in Reno, Girl Scout Cookies are on sale, and we inch closer to the longer days and shorter nights of Spring. You’ll find something for everyone this weekend, whether looking for fun with friends, your little ones, or your special someone. Take a look, and have a great weekend Carson City.

SATURDAY:

It’s a wine walking, Super Bowl weekend. You’ll find music and art on this list, but also a list of sports books and football parties. Fun for kids, adults, families, and friends awaits you in the area: it just depends on what you are in the mood for. Keep reading and have a great weekend!

SATURDAY:

• Free Youth Basketball Handling Clinic at the MAC: 1870 Russell Way (7:30am-8:30am; open to all youth aged 6-18; sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club)

Why is Elon Musk’s electric car company named Tesla? Visionary inventor Nikola Tesla served as that inspiration for his humanitarian efforts to make the world a better place for people through his research work and inventions.

Although it is among billions of galaxies in the universe, the Milky Way has long been a curiosity for humans because of the way it glows and arches across the night sky.

Who better to learn from about meteors and asteroids than a retired National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist?

Marla Moore, who teaches a couple of classes at Western Nevada College, leads a free discussion on “Meteors. Rocks from the Sky” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at Jack C. Davis Observatory in Carson City.

Historian and lecturer Mike Thomas will talk on “The Roswell UFO Incident” on Saturday, Sept 10 at Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College.

Guests check out items in the silent auction at the Western Nevada College Foundation Reach for the Stars fundraiser for academics, held at Jack C. Davis Observatory at WNC on Saturday, August 20. In the second photo, dancers take to the floor.

Wells Fargo bank employees lent Western Nevada College their helping hands last week to prepare its Jack C. Davis Observatory for the WNC Foundation’s ‘Reach for the Stars’ Black Tie Gala fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Unidentified Flying Objects and man’s migration to space are topics of discussion at the Western Nevada College Jack C. Davis Observatory in the coming weeks.

Historian and lecturer Mike Thomas will talk on “Colonizing Space” on Saturday, Aug. 13. Learn about the U.S. space plans for the eventual exodus of mankind to new worlds.

Western Nevada College is offering the college and community the opportunity to witness a rare celestial event on Monday, May 9. From sunrise, around 5:50 a.m. to noon, the planet Mercury will transit across the Sun, passing between Earth and the Sun.

Just what is a comet, and how does it work? The Western Nevada College Jack C. Davis Observatory invites the public to a free lecture about comets on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Just what is a comet, and how does it work? The Western Nevada College Jack C. Davis Observatory invites the public to a free lecture about comets on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

May the force be with you while attending a “Star Wars Retrospective” lecture on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Western Nevada College’s Jack C. Davis Observatory on the Carson City campus.

The public is invited to Mike Thomas’ free lecture that will summarize the previous six films and provide attendees with a better understanding of the storyline in advance of the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Here’s the 2015 Nevada Day event lineup and Halloween happenings, Thursday through Sunday. For all Halloween events go here. For everything Nevada Day, check out the official Nevada Day website here. Otherwise, see the event listing below.

THURSDAY
RSVP NEVADA DAY CARNIVAL, MILLS PARK IN CARSON CITY
Carnival rides for adults and children, live music, food booths, craft vendors & more. Hours: 10/29: 5pm - 9pm; 10/30-31: Noon - 9pm; 11/1: Noon - 8pm

Western Nevada College invites the public to view a total lunar eclipse this Sunday evening at the college’s Jack C. Davis Observatory in Carson City. A variety of telescopes will be available for viewing.

The medical staff of Carson Tahoe Health has announced the Jack L. Davis Memorial Scholarship fund to benefit Western Nevada College students, in memory of the orthopedic surgeon who passed away earlier this year.

The memorial scholarship, administered by the Western Nevada College Foundation, is designed to support and encourage the science professionals of tomorrow by contributing $1,000 each year to two Western Nevada College students pursuing degrees in the sciences.

As the 2015 Western Nevada College baseball and softball seasons near completion, it’s time to come out and cheer on the Wildcats at their last weekend home stands. “Stack the Stands” days will offer outstanding college softball and baseball, along with multiple opportunities to win great prizes while supporting the athletics programs.

All are invited to enjoy free weekly star viewing on Saturday evenings throughout the year at the Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College Carson City campus.

Enjoy a free lecture at 7:30 P.M., May 23, 2015 by WNC Professor Mike Thomas about The Milky Way at the Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College, Carson City Campus. 2699 Van Patten St. Carson City, NV 89703

Enjoy a free lecture at 7:30 P.M., May 9, 2015 by WNC Professor Mike Thomas about “Infinity and Beyond” at the Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College, Carson City Campus. 2699 Van Patten St. Carson City, NV 89703

All are invited to enjoy free weekly star viewing on Saturday evenings throughout the year at the Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College Carson City campus.

Science demonstrations are offered on the second Saturday even of each month by WNC Professor Tom Herring.