Wine Tasting

There is no place like home, and for most of you reading this, that home is Carson City. One of our greatest prides is the Western Nevada Musical Theater Company: don’t miss the final weekend of ‘Music Man’ at the Community Center. Today caps Bike to Work week; if you brave the rain this morning, you will be rewarded with free coffee at several coffee houses around town. The annual Bike Week party is on Third St., by Firkin and Fox, starting around 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Bike to Work Week

• National Bike to Work Day: Free coffee for bicycle commuters at Comma Coffee, Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar, Carson Coffee, Capital Coffee, LA Bakery, and Starbucks (7am-9am; show your helmet)
• Last Day: White Pine County Artistry by artist Dawn Dot Star at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

Tuesday in Carson is fun;
Two guided walks, not just one.
Learn to Line Dance or Swing;
Mile High Jazz is the king;
Another great day has begun!

Happy Limerick Day, Carson City.

TUESDAY: Bike to Work Week

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

Happy Mother’s Day, Carson City! Several family friendly events are occurring around town this weekend. Take a ride on the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the Ferris Wheel at RSVP’s Spring Fair and Carnival. A Harmonica and Strings Concert at Empire Elementary School showcases what some of our talented students can do. Get up early and head over to the Carson City Airport if your youngster has any interest in planes: Young Eagles flights are happening today if the weather permits.

SATURDAY:

• 23rd Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive (leave your donation of non-perishable food items at your mail box for mail carrier to pick up)
• Greenhouse Project Annual Spring Plant Sale and Live Music with Hick’ry Switch at the Carson High Greenhouse: 1111 Saliman, off Robinson –behind the buses (8am-1pm)

Breakfast is such a great way to start out the day, and local favorite, the Cracker Box, has been serving it up for 35 years. Join Supervisor Brad Bonokowski for his monthly meeting with residents, or wait until 9am for a short presentation from the Mayor honoring the restaurant. Their lunch menu is delicious, as well, but you may want to join Supervisor Karen Abowd during her monthly walkabout of Mills Park instead. It’s a good day to connect with our local leaders! If you’ve driven down Williams St., you’ve seen the RSVP Spring Festival and Carnival. It will be there all weekend, so you’ve got a few days to indulge in cotton candy and fried twinkees.

FRIDAY:

• Monthly Breakfast with Supervisor Brad Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7:30am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

The first Tuesday of every month belongs to the Carson City Classic Cinema Club. Every month they meet for a classic movie, trivia and discussion. Join them at Red’s Old 395 for The Big Trees with Kirk Douglas. Few performers are more classic than the Three Stooges: on this day in 1934 the released their first short film, Women Haters.

TUESDAY:

• ’The Driest State: Nevada Watersheds’ by artist Nolan Preese at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Have you picked your pony yet? The Kentucky Derby is today, but that is far from the only thing running today. Chili on the Comstock is hosting their inaugural Fun with the Runs 5K Saturday at 10 a.m. The 1926 Edwards Motor Car is running, too, and ready for rides at the Nevada Railroad Museum. The wine walk is always a good time, and with Mother’s Day next weekend, it can’t hurt to peruse the shops before you run out of time to pick the perfect gift.

SATURDAY: Kentucky Derby Day:

22 is 22 Too Many: WNC Veterans Suicide Awareness March: park south of Bully’s Restaurant, walk continues up College Parkway to Western Nevada College (10am)

Genoa Cowboy Festival: Cowboy Breakfast hosted by Douglas Lodge #12 F&A Masons -Served in the historic lodge building ($5; 8am to 12pm; Pancakes with syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage and coffee; Proceeds benefit the Masons’ local scholarship programs)

The Genoa Cowboy Festival is just starting, and I suspect that’s where Calamity Jane would be spending her birthday. If not there, than maybe up in Virginia City: today marks the first ‘Flashback Friday’ of the year, when all of the museums have free admission. Tonight she could catch some laughs at Carson Comedy in the Nugget or at the Brewery Art Center for First Friday Improv. Saturday she'd likely trade in her six-shooter for a wine glass, because it is Wine Walk Weekend.
FRIDAY:

• ’Drink One for Dane’ Muscular Dystrophy Association Fundraiser at Dutch Bros Coffee
• Genoa Cowboy Festival: A variety of daytime events are FREE at the Cowboy Festival including: Chautauquas, Living History Tours, Musical Performances, Cowboy Poetry, Melodramas, and Historical Reenactments

Tuesdays are an excellent day for a stroll. Carson City Parks and Recreation and Muscle Powered both offer a guided walk/hike along one of our valley’s many trails. This morning enjoy beautiful views from the Virginia and Truckee Trail on the west side of Carson; it is also an excellent trail for biking. Later today, tag along with Muscle Powered for something more challenging. They will be exploring around Centennial Park on the far northeast side of Carson City. Check out BikeCarson.org for some great pictures and overviews of area trails, or go here for the Carson City website’s list of public trails.
TUESDAY:

• Carson City Sheriff’s Office’s Crosswalk Safety Operation
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Just remind yourself that these April showers bring May flowers, and the balmy spring weather is returning in just a few days. This weekend has indoor and outdoor activities aplenty, so you can choose the degree of wind and rain you want to deal with.

Friday at last! Are you ready for live music, dancing, and comedy? Check out the list below to get the low down on all that Carson City has to offer today.

FRIDAY:

• Last Day: ‘The Observation and Conclusion’ by artist Joseph Watson at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building
• ’The Driest State: Nevada Watersheds’ by artist Nolan Preese at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)
• Everything Half-off at Browser's Corner Book Store: 711 E. Washington (9:30am-6pm)

The Stewart Indian School is the site of today’s ‘Easy Walk’ led by the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department. If you can’t join them this morning, make a point of exploring this treasure on your own. A podcast is available to guide you through the history of the site, complete with narratives from some who spent their youth there. Memorabilia from the school is on display at the Nevada State Museum and plans for a cultural center are in the works. Their cemetery is the final resting place of one of the area’s most famous Native American residents, basket-maker, Dot-so-la Lee. For more information on the Stewart Indian School go here.
TUESDAY:

• Nevada Tourism Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• ‘Always Lost: A Meditation on War’ in the Second Floor Atrium of the Legislature Building

What gorgeous weather we have this weekend! Head over to Eagle Valley Middle School for a rummage sale benefiting their LEGO Robotics Team; you may find something fun for your patio. The Spring Fling Stop and Shop at the Plaza Hotel will help you spruce up your wardrobe. Or head up to Silver City for the big closing sale at Doodad’s Emporium. If you find yourself in Gardnerville, the First Annual Summer Splendor Showcase and Expo features vendors galore.

SATURDAY:

• Last Day to buy tickets for High Sierra Swing Dance Club Spring Ball Dinner and Dance on April 25 ($35; To reserve a will-call ticket, call Rika at 530-307-8937 or Idie at 775-443-8870 by; no tickets will be sold at the door.)
• Escape From Prison Hill Half Marathon and 10K begins at the Silver Saddle Ranch (8am-12pm; Half-Marathon: Packet Pickup/Race Day: $50, 10K: Packet Pickup/Race Day: $40)

The Carson City Band Association, Inc. is proud to host its 12th Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser. All proceeds raised at this event will benefit the Carson High School Band programs. Your support helps these vital programs remain strong for our future musicians.

Students in these programs gain more than a finer appreciation of music. They also learn teamwork, discipline, confidence and leadership. This years' Wine Tasting will be held Saturday, April 25, at the Empire Ranch Golf Club on Fairway off Highway 50 East beginning at 5 p.m.

Are you looking for a good time tonight? You’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s live music, comedy, karaoke, swing dancing, or the monthly World Dance Open Floor performance, Carson City has something for everyone. The inaugural Cinderella Father-Daughter Dance is at Carson High School tonight, so grab your favorite princess(es) and enjoy a night of magic.

FRIDAY:

• Capital City Farm Days Celebrates All Things Agriculture at Fuji Park (8am-2pm; free, open to the public)
• Final Day of ’Second Skin’ by artist Sarah Lillegard at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Last Day to get $12 Vouchers for the Reno Aces vs. Albuquerque game Sunday at Mark Twain Elementary School, 2111 Carriage Crest Drive

Where to begin? How about with a Slurpee? 7-Eleven is having a ‘bring your own cup’ day and if your vessel fits through a ten inch cut-out hole, then you can fill it up for $1.49. Get creative! Take that slushy treat with you to the kick-off of the Carson City BMX season at the Livermore Sports Complex. Play some games at Nerdvana as they celebrate International Tabletop Day, or enjoy the bounce house, face painting, games and more at the WNC Deaf Fun Day to cap off Deaf Pride Week.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Young Eagle Flights (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
• Gigantic Sale to benefit local charities at St Paul's Lutheran: 1201 N. Saliman (8am-1:30pm; fill a bag $3 starts at 12pm)
• Spring Craft and Vendor Faire at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church: 1837 Mountain St. (9am-3pm, free)

We are now 100 days into the year 2015; where does the time go? Hopefully, with help from my list, you've spent it exploring the food, drink, music, theater, art, museums, and outdoor fun stuff that Carson City has to offer. Let me tell you, there’s plenty of fun to come! Tonight, you can check out Mo’z Motley Blues at the Brewery Arts Center or the Whitehats at Westside Pour House. It’s also opening night for the kids of Youth Theater Carson City: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the Community Center at 7 p.m.

FRIDAY:

• Carson School District Spring Break
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)
• ’Second Skin’ by artist Sarah Lillegard at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

There are plenty of things to do today; if you don't believe me, just take a look at the list! After enjoying a free spirits tasting at Red’s this afternoon, stick around for a movie with the Carson City Classic Cinema Club. This month is ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy:’ a 1965 Charlton Heston flick about Michelangelo and the painting of the Sistine Chapel.

Court Appointed Special Advocates is holding an information hour this evening for those who would like more information on how to volunteer.

TUESDAY:

• Carson School District Spring Break
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• Father-Daughter Cinderella Ball Tickets Available at the Carson High School Admission Desk (8am-2pm; $25, $5 additional princess)

It’s a good weekend to be a kid in Carson City. Easter egg hunts, bounce houses, fun and games abound: I’ve made family friendly events easy to find by putting them in bold in the list. It’s a good weekend to be an adult, as well, with the Downtown Business Association wine walk and a few adults-only egg hunts.

Busy weekend ahead! It’s a wine walk weekend in addition to the Easter festivities, but don't let Friday pass you by. Head to Sassafras tonight to catch the Trippin King Snakes or Living the Good Life for music by Jamie Rollins. If it’s laughs you're after, First Friday Improv at the Brewery Arts Center will have you in stitches or head to the Carson Nugget for comedy night with this week’s funnyman, Huck Flyn.

The sun is shining, the flowers blooming, the birds chirping, the wind gusting, and Carson City is hopping! Easter fun can be found this weekend at the annual EGGstravaganza at Carson Tahoe Medical Center, the Children’s Museum, the Carson Mall, and the Brewery Arts Center.

Head over to Mills Park for the Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration, complete with military vehicles, exhibits, and more. For demonstrations from soldiers with an even older history, the Nevada Civil War Volunteers will be in Dayton Saturday.

Are you doing the TGIF happy dance? There are plenty of reasons to if you take a look at this list: live music, art exhibits, comedy, tequila tasting, karaoke, baseball, bingo, theater, and more.

Print out the flyer if you head over to Buffalo Wild Wings on Friday or Saturday: 15 percent of your bill will be donated to Western Nevada College Athletics if you do.

The Tahoe Ridge Winery Bistro & Marketplace opened its new location on South Carson Street today.

Today was a "soft opening," and they plan to be open daily starting tomorrow.

They feature wine tasting, wines by the glass, wine flights, as well as food and merchandise.

Tahoe Ridge is located near Carson Mall. The Winery's first location in Minden is also open for business.

It’s a good weekend to be a kid: the Kerak Shrine Circus is in town! Well, it’s in Reno, but that isn’t too far of a drive for elephants, clowns, and cotton candy. Also in Reno, but intended for a slightly older audience, is the Lady Luck Tattoo and Art Expo, coincidentally held at Circus Circus.

For the outdoorsy-types you can join in the March to End Senior Hunger 5K in Dayton; the 5K Glow Run benefitting the Western Nevada College Softball Team; or join a ranger at Washoe Lake State Park for a guided hike.

It’s the International Day of Happiness and I hope song and dance make you happy. Carson City is awash with live music and theater tonight. Local favorite Stereo Galaxy teams up with Southern California performer, Loc Lion, for a show at Sassafras. You’ll find the Remains at Westside Pour House, and Jaime Rollins keeps it rollin at Living the Good Life. Just Sayin’ is this months featured talent in the Brewery Arts Center’s Eclectic Electric Series.

If you have the kind of luck that brings rain as soon as you wash your car, please drive over to Squeaky’s Car Wash at the corner of Highway 50 E and Lompa Lane. It’s their opening weekend and they are offering free car washes and raising funds for the Carson City Community Counseling Center.

If you consider yourself adventurous, then the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry in Virginia City is for you. It’s not nicknamed the Testicle Festival for nothing! If you need some liquid courage, take part in the Ball Breaker Saloon Crawl. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade heads down C Street at noon.

Are you ready to paint the town green? St. Patrick’s Day quickly approaches and there will be plenty of Irish action throughout town. The festivities start this weekend with the annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fest in Virginia City, complete with a parade and saloon crawl.

The wine walk is on the top of the weekend to-do list for many of you, but Carson City has a lot more going on. Ascent Runs is hosting a 5/10K and a half marathon at C-Hill on Saturday. You can register at the race, just make sure you aren’t late. Youth Football season has arrived with sign-ups for SYFL and Pop Warner on Saturday. Cheer on the Western Nevada College Wildcats as their Baseball and Softball teams battle against Salt Lake City Community College.

Happy Friday, Carson City. Grab a bite at Meek’s Lumber at their first Friday BBQ for lunch, or at the Lions Club Crab Feed at Fuji Park tonight. Cheer on the Western Nevada College Wildcats as they battle Salt Lake City Community College on the softball and baseball fields.

Keep up the snowy thoughts, Carson City. We desperately need the water, the ski resorts need visitors, and those mountains are so much prettier with a blanket of white. Wildcat Softball on Saturday is weather pending, so it’s too early for me to call it canceled.

“Act out being alive, like a play. And after a while, a long while, it will be true.”
― John Steinbeck, East of Eden

Birthday boy Steinbeck has it right. Carson City is what you make of it; plenty going on, but it won’t come to your home and ask you to get involved. Music, art, theater, dance, hiking, biking, wining, dining, volunteering, sports, and more are available in our area.