The Spoke Bar and Grill

Hello, Carson City. I'm suffering from an internet outage and want to make sure I get this information to you. I truly apologize that it is without my usual links or banter, but my little tablet can only do so much. As always, there is a great time to be had in Carson City, so please take a look at my list, grab your friends and family, and enjoy our great valley!

SATURDAY:

The Dog Days of Summer have hit town, so grab your favorite four-legged friend and have fun. CASI is hosting the ‘pooch plunge’ at the Carson Aquatic Center so that your pooches can beat this late September heat. Join the Nevada Humane Society at Lake Tahoe Brewing Company for the first annual ‘Brew-paw.’ Adoptable pets, a raffle, and more await. Don’t miss out on the downtown walk Sunday following coffee and mimosas at Adele’s. The ‘wag-n-walk’ will end up at the Visitor’s Center where you will be rewarded with a special pet tag.

Do you like shopping, Carson City? Check out the Vintage Fair at Du Sorrella downtown. The last Farmers Market of the season is at Third and Curry, so get your fix of fresh fruits, veggies, honey and more before the leaves fall. Wild Horse Children’s Theater is hosting a huge Warehouse and Multi-family sale; if you need a Halloween costume, you won’t want to miss it. The Teixeira Pavilion at Mills Park is where you’ll find the Autumn Earth Spirit Faire with vendors, workshops, and more.

Ready, set, GO! Whether you want to watch camels race, or hot air balloons light up the sky, this is a great weekend in Northern Nevada. If cool cars are more your style, join the Freaks of Nature Car Club at a show and shine in the parking lot of Yogurt Beach in North Carson. It’s root, root, root for the home team as the WNC Wildcats play a double header at Harvey Field.

SATURDAY:

Don’t be scared. I know you’re going to take one look at this list and get overwhelmed with all the things going on in the area. I’ve written an overview of some of the bigger things here, but take a look below for a complete list of everything that the Carson City area offers.

SATURDAY:

• California Free Fishing Day
• Revolution Dog Sports Rat-tacular Barn Hunt and BattleBorn Bonanza Jack Russell Trials at Fuji Park
• NAA Exhibit by artist Deborah Foster at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Third and Curry Farmers Market; Live Music (8:30am-1pm)

This last weekend of August is filled with ways to celebrate your community. Carson Animal Shelter Initiative, better known as CASI, hosts their annual Bark, Whine, and Dine Fundraiser at Fuji Park. Animal lovers can also head to Carson Catalina Apartments for a rummage sale that benefits the Carson Tahoe SPCA. The Carson City Sheriff's Office young Explorers will host a fundraising car wash; The Marine Corp League can be found at the north Carson Walmart; half of the donations received will go to Deputy Howell’s family fund. And don’t miss out on the drought-friendly water balloon ice bucket challenge raising funds for ALS at Butler Meats on Sunday.

SATURDAY:

• Car Wash fundraiser for Carson City Sheriff’s Office Explorers at Unique Sounds: 3080 Hwy 50 East (10am-2pm)
• Virginia City Ferrari Hill Climb
• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• Rummage Sale fundraiser for Carson Tahoe SPCA at Carson Catalina Apartments: 700 Hot Springs Rd. (7am-ish until?)
• Annual Outreach and Fundraiser by the Marine Corps League of Carson City Silver State- Detachment 630 at the Walmart store on Retail Drive (8am-5pm; half of the donations go to the family of fallen Carson City Sheriff’s Office Deputy and former U.S. Marine Carl Howell)

Hold on to your hats, Carson City, summer isn’t ready to quit us just yet. An aviation air show at the Minden Airport, the coin show and fair at the Nevada State Museum, and a fishing derby for the kids at Little Washoe Lake are only the tip of the iceberg. The Pavilion at Mills Park is where you’ll find the annual Carson High Football Boosters Fundraising BBQ. The Quicksilver Dog Agility Trials are always fun to watch, and they’ll be at Fuji Park all weekend. Carson Lanes has family fun indoors and out all day long during their Bowling Blast-off.

It’s a blast from the past weekend. Get started with some history at the Dangberg Home Historic Ranch with the Naughty Tea Mistresses. A walking tour of our haunted past begins at the corner of Third and Curry with the Downtown Ghost Walk. Celebrate Prohibition-style at the Brewery Arts Center: the annual Speakeasy Swing Dance Party wants to see you in your finest zoot suit or flapper dress. Head back to the Eighties at Living the Good Life; DJ Bobby G is spinning the hits from yesteryear.

After the Friday wind and rain, we are supposed to see some clear skies: but don’t quote me on that. You know how the weather here can be. The Third and Curry Farmers Market vendors are tough, though, so your weekly dose of fresh produce will be waiting for you either way. Don’t miss the autumn plant sale at the Greenhouse Project booth. The Carson City Historical Society hosts their second yard sale of the season at the historic Forman-Roberts House on North Carson Street, so have fun treasure hunting.

SATURDAY: Jazz and Beyond

• Ascent Runs: Genoa Peaks Mad-A-Thon: Ultra 55K; Marathon 26.2M, Half-Marathon 13.1M -Begins at Nixon Park in Genoa (6am; all runners must check-in)
• Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks

This time last year Carson City experienced a downpour that turned Mills Park into swamp land and forced the last-minute cancellation of National Night Out.

As the Carson City region continues to experience similar and strange weather this summer, the skies threatened a bit but ultimately held out for the 13th annual National Night Out with an astounding community turnout. It was as if locals had put all their energy from last year's disappointment to this year's celebration.

With the theme of violence prevention, Carson City Sheriff’s Office will host 13 years of community partnership with local agencies, groups and nonprofit organizations Tuesday at Mills Park with the 2015 National Night Out.

Returning this year after a last minute cancelation in 2014 because of heavy rain, this three hour annual family event is designed to bring children and their parents to the park for activities, music, information booths, demonstrations, hot dogs and refreshments. Festivities begin at 5 p.m.

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)

The weekend has arrived and it’s bringing a plethora of activity with it. Car lovers will want to head to the Silver Dollar Car Classic at the Max Casino, known as the Carson Station just a few days ago. The Classic moves to Mills Park for the weekend. If the Mustangs and Broncos you prefer are horses, rather than Fords, you’ll want to grab a ticket to the Bull Riding Competition at the State Fair. Carnival rides, circus performances, and live music will keep everyone entertained. Make sure to catch the shuttle from the Casino Fandango parking garage: parking at Fuji Park is extremely limited. ‘Break a leg’ to the cast of Peter Pan. Youth Theater Carson City opens tonight at the Community Center.

FRIDAY: Full Moon Tonight:

• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Welcome to Tuesday, Carson City. We have survived Monday and are on our way to a very busy weekend. It’s a wine walk weekend, the Nevada Fair is in town, and classic cars will be everywhere as the Silver Dollar Car Classic rolls into town. Take a moment and enjoy today for what it is: a gorgeous sunny day in Northern Nevada. Head over to El Charro Avita if you’ve always wanted to learn to swing dance. Take the kids to a puppet performance of Aladdin at the Library. Or head to Carson Lanes for their one dollar bowling special and stick around for some line dancing.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Carson City Parks and Recreation Easy Walk: Kings Canyon Waterfall– Meet in the parking area at the west end of Kings Canyon Road (8am-9am)

Can you believe it? It’s the last weekend of July and the kids will be headed back to school in no time. Don’t be dismayed though, plenty of summer fun can still be found. Sign the kids up for the Capital City Kids’ Triathlon at the Carson Aquatic Center. Head out to Mills Park for a few laps on the train or a picnic. Don’t miss out on making a bowl for the Empty Bowls project at the Farmers Market; or let the kids run off to the bounce house while you make a bowl yourself.

SATURDAY:

• Capital City Kids' Triathlon: Swim, Bike, Run at the Carson Aquatic Center: 841 N. Roop St. (registration begins at 7:30am, must check in 30 minutes prior to start time; $25 same day registration; ages 13-18 8am start; ages 11-12 8:45am start; ages 9-10 9:30am start; ages 7-8 10am start; ages 4-6 10:30am; must provide own bike and mandatory helmet)
• Poker Ride and Ice Cream Social hosted by Nevada All State Trail Riders at Silver Saddle Ranch: 4901 Carson River Rd (sign in 8am; $20 per poker hand; hikers, cyclists, and horse riders will each have own trail; begin at 9am)

Looking for some fun? Swing dance lessons for beginners are at El Charro’s. Line Dance lessons are just around the corner at Carson Lanes if you prefer. Meet author Jack Harpster at the Carson City Library. He’ll have copies of his book ‘Lumber Baron of the Comstock Lode: The Life and Times Duane L. Bliss’ for signing after a power point presentation. Enjoy a night at Living the Good Life; they have just started doing a karaoke night every other Tuesday. Feed your inner artist at Lake Tahoe Brewing Company. Art Bar Reno is hosting a painting party there tonight.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Coffee and Legislative Briefing with Senator Ben Kieckhefer and Assemblyman P.K. O'Neill in the Silver Oak Executive Conference Center (8am; $5)

Thunderstorms are on the horizon, so seize the day and enjoy the sunshine while it’s here. Muscle Powered has organized a monthly trash mob to help keep our trails clean, join them at US Bank to help out. The Ghost Walk returns: meet behind the Firkin and Fox for some local haunted history. Teens will enjoy a ‘Night at the Library’ with pizza and games. And as always, the Nevada State Railroad Museum beckons: this week with rides on the Steam Train available.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)
• Muscle Powered One Hour Trash Mob: located at the south side of East College Parkway near the I-580 overpass where the multi-use path meets the sidewalk. Parking is available at US Bank/Dotty's Casino (8am-9am; Gloves, trash bags, and water will be available)
• Weekly Live Auction at Good Time Auctions: 3579 E Hwy 50, Suite 211 (Preview 8am-3pm; Live Indoor Auction 3pm)

The Second Tuesday of the month always means jazz. The Mile High Jazz Band performs tonight at Comma Coffee with vocalist Cindee LeVal. Enjoy Christmas in July with the Friends of the Carson Library’s Food Drive. A non-perishable food donation gets you a Christmas book and a coupon for a dollar off at Browser’s Corner Book Store. Make sure to get your pizza fix at Pizza Factory on Highway 50. It’s Pop Warner Day, so any purchase will send a few dollars to the boys and girls involved in the program.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Carson City Parks and Recreation Easy Walk: Historical East Side Part II -Meet in front of the Laxalt Building: 401 N. Carson St. (8am-9am)

I hope you’re hungry, Carson City. Hungry and adventurous. The annual Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair hits Glen Eagles this weekend, and there will be plenty to sample. If you need something cold to drink, head to 7-ELEVEN for a free small slushee from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in celebration of Seven Eleven Day. The Farmers Market is always a good bet on Saturday mornings for sampling all the yummy stuff that grows nearby.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Young Eagle Flights (Weather Permitting; open to ages 8-17; registration 8am at the Airport Terminal Building, orientation 8:30am; free) Coffee and Donuts (8am-12pm, all welcome) at 2500 E. College Pkwy
• Garage Sale to benefit CASI (Carson Animal Shelter Initiative) at 611 Marsh Road, located at the end of East Fifth St. (8am-?)

The Nevada State Fair is coming to town at the end of the month. A limited number of parking passes are available at City Hall starting today, and discounted all-day carnival ride passes are for sale at the Visitor Center. The four days of fun start July 30. Tonight, enjoy Farewell to Arms with the Carson City Classic Cinema Club at Red’s Old 395. Learn to Line Dance at Carson Lanes, or get your swing on with lessons at El Charro’s. Check out the new karaoke night at Living the Good Life and get dinner and a show.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Carson City Parks and Recreation Easy Walk: Historical East Side Part I -Meet in front of the state capitol building (8am-9am; bring water)

Happy birthday, America! Today we celebrate our independence, and what better way than with a carnival. You might as well stay at Mills Park all day, the fireworks display starts when it gets dark. Tune into Magic 95.5FM and you’ll hear the choreographed music to go along with the oohs and aaahs. Where ever you choose to watch fireworks, please be safe. There are thousands of visitors in the Northern Nevada area this weekend, and law enforcement will be out in full force.

SATURDAY: Independence Day

• Free Swim for Active and Retired Military at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm; outdoor pools only)
• Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk and Concert in the Park with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra at Heritage Park, Gardnerville (5K, $20 per person and family rates, free for active/retired military; register 7am-7:45am; Run/Walk begins 8am, Patriotic costumes encouraged; 8am Carson Valley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast $7; Free Kids Obstacle Course 8am; Free Concert begins 11:30am)

Did everyone catch the giant double rainbow last night? Our wacky weather does make for some amazing skies. Sunsets of orange, purple, red, and fuchsia are commonplace if we happen to look up at the right time. Today will be another partly cloudy day, so keep your camera handy if you want to capture some great skies yourself. It’s ‘Social Media’ Day, so you might as well share those photos on your timeline or run them through an Instagram filter. Or you can always share your pictures with Carson Now by going to the ‘submit story’ tab at the top of the page or go here.

TUESDAY:

• Carson City Parks and Recreation Easy Walk: Fuji Park - Meet in the parking area just west of the exhibit building (8am-9am)
• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)

Bikes, and cars, and brews: oh my! Downtown Carson is awash in activity on Saturday. Battleborn Brews, Bikes, and Bubbly features the Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge, vendors, a brewfest, moustache competition and more. The Karson Kruzers are hosting their annual car show at Fuji Park, but will be making their way downtown after it’s over, so there will be plenty of cool cars to admire. Mojo Green takes the stage at 7 p.m. and you can head into the Carson Cigar Company to enjoy Reno’s newest Pink Floyd Tribute Band, Scarlett Moon at 9 p.m.

SATURDAY:

• Karson Krusers’ Run Whatcha Brung Car Show at Fuji Park (registration 7am-9am; show and vendors until 6pm; parade to downtown 6pm)
• Youth Theatre Carson City Showstoppers Fundraising Yard Sale on Ophir Circle, off Richmond (8am-3pm; help send them to perform at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)

Happy Tuesday, Carson City! Summer is here in full force, so get yourself up to Lake Tahoe to escape the heat, or head over to your favorite watering hole for an icy beverage. Swing by Capital Ford this afternoon to get a glance at the Wounded Warrior’s High Five Touring Vehicle and make sure to leave your signature and a message on it, as well.

TUESDAY:

• Reno Rodeo (Ticket prices range from $12 - $27) and Carnival (4pm-12am) at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, check availability; ages 7-12)

Carson City community members flooded downtown for Taste of Downtown Saturday evening with their appetites ready to taste the delicious foods prepared by local businesses. Taste of Downtown gave guests a wide range of dinner entrees, promoted local businesses and supported Advocates to End Domestic Violence.

The solstice couldn’t come at a better time: we need some long days to get through all the fun stuff Carson City has crammed into one weekend. The annual Powwow at the Stewart Indian School runs Friday through Sunday, so you’ll have plenty of time to see the dancing, peruse the crafts, and eat an Indian Taco. Don’t miss the Fly-in and Open House at the Carson City Airport: fun for the whole family. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of Carson City’s favorite events: the Taste of Downtown. Music, food, and more from Carson Mall to Williams Street. Have a great time, and be safe.

Happy Tuesday, Carson City. And happy Bloomsday to the James Joyce aficionados out there. June is National Soul Food Month, so my suggestion for today is a trip to Sassafras for some New Orleans inspired grub and a great free concert. Songwriter Bryan Hayes will be in house for one night to help promote his new album ‘Farther Down the Line.’ Check out the Official Video for his new Single ‘I Wanna Run.’ The song was written in Mosul, Iraq, and one of Bryan's soldiers, SGT Zach Tucker, is featured in the video.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

I don’t mean to make this hard on you, but you have some decisions to make. All day, all night, all weekend long, there are numerous activities throughout our area. Take a good look at the list, grab your friends, family, and kids, and have a great weekend. The Experimental Aircraft Association is hosting the Ford Tri-Motor this weekend, and has Young Eagles flights for the kids: registration and orientation is at 8 a.m. Head over to Eagle Valley Golf for free family golf day.

Welcome to Tuesday, Carson City. There is chance of rain this afternoon, so spend some time indoors checking out the new exhibit in the CCAI Courthouse Gallery. ‘Industrial Art’ presents the design work of five manufacturers in the the area including American AVK, CGI Inc., Click Bond Inc., Silver State Stainless, and Vineburg Machining Inc. The official opening reception is Friday at 5 p.m. Or enjoy the art at the Nevada Arts Council, inside the BRIC building on Proctor, inside the Sierra Room of the Community Center, or in the two galleries at the Brewery Arts Center.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Opening Day: Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

First things first. Saturday afternoon could be expecting some wet weather, so be prepared. I can’t predict what events may be affected by it, or if the rain will even show up. No worries for you wine walkers, though, downtown will be hopping: rain, shine, or blizzard. Head over to Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery and wish them a happy fourth anniversary, Jeffery will be serving up one of his signature Sangrias. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church won best wine walk stop last month and will have live music. Don’t forget to spend some time inside Westside Pour House: ARTistically INKlined pop-up gallery returns and proves that tattoo artists are first, and foremost, artists.

SATURDAY:

• Street Vibrations Spring Rally: Downtown Reno
• Reno Tahoe International Film Festival – go to www.RTIFF.org for schedule and locations
• Sierra Lutheran High School's 13th Annual Golf Classic at the Silver Oaks Golf Course (7am Check-in, Shotgun start at 8am; $125 for a single player or $400 for a team of four)