Ken Beaton

Heading into the first of the work week, there's some uncertainty due to concerns over the coronavirus. Some activities will go on as scheduled while others may be canceled. We're advising you check with event organizers ahead of time before you plan on attending.

Hello Carson City, is it getting warm enough yet? That's the question as we head into a forecast high Tuesday in the low 90s, give or take a few degrees. Don't sweat as our good friends at Muscle Powered have morning and evening walks and a bicycle ride happening before and after the heat sets in. Plus there's local talks about history, addiction and wellness; a yoga class for those with arthritis, a family viewing of the classic basketball fantasy movie "Space Jam" at the Carson City Library and a whole lot more. Scroll on and enjoy your day!

Historian Ken Beaton will talk about his book, "A Toddler's Picture in His Uncle's Helmet" at Tuesday's Nevada State Library and Archives Brown Bag Author Series.

World War II, December 3, 1943 a member of the Graves Registration removed Richard's persona effects. He discovered a toddler's picture inside Richard's helmet. This is how the story begins.

The program is from noon to 1 p.m. At the Nevada State Library and Archives Building, 100 North Stewart Street, Carson City. Light refreshments will be provided. See the flier above.

Heading into Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, we urge all to take time out of your day to honor those who served and died defending our country. Memorial Day is the day we celebrate those men and women who passed while serving in the United States Armed Forces. There are events Monday in Carson City at the Stewart Indian School Cemetery and at Lone Mountain Cemetery and in Fernley at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Good morning Carson City and happy Sunday! I hope you're all thoroughly enjoying your holiday weekend despite the weather, which looks like it's going to continue through the upcoming week. Even still, we've got a ton of activities going on in town for the day, so check them out below, and remember to bring a jacket!

Good morning Carson City and happy Saturday! It’s going to be another grey day, with a high of 64 and a low of 44. But hey, it could be freezing, or things could be on fire, so I won’t complain! On the docket today we’ve got day two of the Rib Fest, a Virginia City train tour, museum activities, a heroes parade, and more. Check below to see the schedule for the rest of Memorial Weekend, and stay warm!

As we head into a jam-packed Memorial Day weekend, activities and events around Carson City on Friday will help set the mood for what promises to be a tremendous few days ahead. Festivities include the opening day of the Rockin’ Rib Fest at Carson City's Casino Fandango, the planting of American flags on the graves of our fallen veterans at Lone Mountain Cemetery, a weekly open mic night at A to Zen, laughs at the Carson Comedy Club, live music and more.

Here’s an events lineup of what's happening around the Carson City region for the 2019 Memorial Day weekend. More events will be added as information becomes available.

Friday, May 24

World War II historian and author Ken Beaton will be the featured speaker at the Carson City Democrats' Memorial Day luncheon. He will narrate a slide show of photographs taken on his visits to American memorials and military cemeteries across Europe, including some ties to his own family.

Summer is holding on for dear life, and sending a miniature heat wave our way for this long weekend. For those of you not in Black Rock City, the Carson City region offers plenty of recreation and entertainment. Downtown will be hopping with the Farmers Market, monthly Wine Walk, and this season’s last outdoor concert at the Brewery Arts Center – and that’s just Saturday! Keep reading for three days of good times.

SATURDAY:

Happy Thursday, Carson City. Help move the workweek along by doing something fun. You’ll always find the boys of J and M Productions running the karaoke show at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. Living the Good Life has music every night Tuesday through Saturday, and tonight it is Dougie L’s turn to entertain. The Café at Adele’s is always a good choice for date night, but when they also have music on their veranda, you’ve got all the ingredients for a memorable night.

THURSDAY:

Ken Beaton likes to say if you think there’s nothing to do in your home town, “check into a Battle Mountain hotel for three weeks one Tuesday evening.”
Beaton, a Carson City resident who was a business teacher at Battle Mountain High School from 1972 to 1975, is a big fan of the Lander County seat, which is located along Interstate 80 between Winnemucca and Elko.

It’s the perfect season for a stroll downtown and the monthly Downtown Business Association’s monthly Wine Walk gives you a great reason. Grab your friends, neighbors, and a light jacket for this Carson City tradition.

I’m usually a lover of sunny days, but right now I say bring on the rain. The moisture is a welcome help to our heroic firefighters in Lake Tahoe and Washoe Valley. Because of the wet weather and the recent fires, some activities have been postponed: most notably the Advocates to End Domestic Violence’s Annual Light After Dark Run. There are still plenty of things to occupy your time, but the weather may force more cancellations.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Day Treasure Hunt: today’s clue at http://www.nvdaytreasurehunt.com/

The leaves are changing, and the sweaters are coming out for the season. Chilly days are perfect for curling up with a good book: meet a local author at the Douglas Library this evening, you never know if you'll find a new favorite. Scott Tazbir has moved into the Backseat Gallery at Comma Coffee. A reception highlighting his drawings will be tonight at 5 p.m. Celebrate National 4-H Week with an open house at the UNR Cooperative Extention Office.

I am not even going to attempt guessing what weather we have in store. The west side of the Sierras are notoriously unpredictable. You are much better off betting on the Kentucky Derby; and the Firkin and Fox is just the place to cheer on your favorite horse.

Wine walks are falling on downtown, possibly with some raindrops on your head, as well. The monthly Downtown Business Association’s monthly Wine Walk pays no heed to what the weather serves up. Start the day at the opening Spring Farmers Market right behind Due Sorella, then stick around to sign yourself, your Mother, your friends, family and neighbors up for the Kentucky Derby/Mother’s Day Weekend Wine Walk.

Musician-comedian and TV actor James Lee Reeves of the Virginia City Highlands saw Elvis Presley on TV at age 10, and decided to become an entertainer. He settled in Southern California, earned a BA in history and then pursued his love of music, acting and songwriting.

Dennis Cassinelli, a Nevada historian and author, will offer a presentation on “Petroglyphs” and “The Dayton Petrified Forest” that Mark Twain wrote about in his book, Roughing It at the Thursday Night Presentations at the historic Gold Hill Hotel on Thursday, April 7.

Deke DiMarzo, a 30-year law enforcement officer who turned his interests and energies to history upon his retirement, will present “The Paiute Wars” and “Camels on the Comstock and Other Interesting Information” at the Gold Hill Hotel Thursday Night Presentation Series on Thursday, March 31.

No need to wait for black Friday or Small Business Saturday to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Western Nevada College’s annual Craft Fair is today, as is Santa’s Village at the Carson City Senior Center. Support local artists and crafters while finding a one of a kind gift for your loved ones. If you have a book-lover on your list, a book signed by local author Ken Beaton is easy to acquire. Browser’s Corner is holding a meet and greet with him this evening.

THURSDAY:

The Nevada 150 Commission received official verification Friday that Nevada has set the record for the “Most People Singing A State Song at Once” with 45,553 Nevadans participating.

As one of the celebrations’ culminating events, #NevadaSings provided Nevadans an opportunity to join together throughout the state to demonstrate our state pride by singing a rendition of “Home Means Nevada.” And we did! Nevadans entered their video or photo proof singing with co-workers, friends, family, schools and businesses at more than 500 locations.

Carson City resident Ken Beaton was flying from Las Vegas to Reno Thursday morning on Southwest Airlines when, at 10 a.m., he commissioned a flight attendant to help him lead 154 passengers and crew members in singing “Home Means Nevada” at 25,000 feet.

The 39-year-resident of Carson City printed up 25 sheets of lyrics, passed them out to passengers and encouraged them to share and sing along. A flight attendant recorded it on a cell phone while he sang it over the 737 jet’s public address system.

When visiting foreign countries, you can communicate knowing 30 basic words, facial expressions and hand movements including pointing. In Nevada when you hear, “We don’t do it like that in California,” do you have a knee jerk reaction? Be a great visitor. Learn how they do it in your host country. Taste foods you’ve never dreamed of tasting. Become the Marco Polo of cultural experiences.

Easy Company, 506th parachute infantry regiment, 101st Airborne Division was not the only band of brothers. Most of the 16 million men who served our country during WW II became closer to their shipmate or foxhole buddy than their own family. The First Special Service Force, the Black Devils, was a brigade of commandos from two nations, 60 percent USA and 40 percent Canadians.

(Editor's Note: The following is from Ken Beaton of Carson City about the death of his friend Bob Thomas, who died Saturday. Funeral arrangements are pending. Thomas was a retired high-tech industrialist who served on the Carson City School Board, Nevada Welfare Board and Carson City Airport Authority and was a state Assemblyman. He also wrote a column for the Nevada Appeal.)

The word last leaves a bad taste in my mouth. One exception is after an intense workout our aerobics instructor says, “This is the last exercise before we stretch and leave for the day.”

Editor's note: Ken Beaton, a retired Carson City educator, wrote the following essay after a recent trip to the World War II battlefields of Europe. He quotes from a letter written by a GI to hi...

Teachers are college graduates many with a Master’s Degree who are in the trenches educating our K–12 students. Carson City School District salaries range from $33,106.70 to $64,699.98. The average is $45,000 a year.
Every time Nevada has a budget shortfall, there are people, usually males, who are negatively vocal regarding “all the money teachers make.” “Teachers work half a year.” “Our children are failing because teachers are not doing their job.” Blah Blah Blah…

On a beautiful brisk Saturday morning, April 30, 2011, Kiwanis of Sierra Nevada members picked up trash, dog deposits and painted at Blackwell’s Pond Park. They were the first service club last year to adopt a Carson City Park.

“Our club has a positive attitude, things are always picking up,” said President elect John Ryals. “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.”

Division 45 Kiwanians from Kiwanis of Carson City, Carson Valley, Fallon, Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Sunrisers, Sierra Nevada and Tahoe Sierra participated in the Kiwanis One Day program by raking leaves and picking up windblown trash at Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa on Saturday.