Happy Friday, Carson Now readers! After the chilly week we've had, this weekend is sure to be a shock for some, with highs at 80 degrees on Saturday and Sunday! And what better way to celebrate than by being out in the community? (Along with wearing sunscreen and drinking water, of course.)

Let's see what the weekend has in store for us throughout the Carson City region.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: The Cops and Kids event on Saturday, May 14th, has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The Carson City Sheriff’s Office apologizes and is looking forward to the next community event.

Carson Chamber Singers, a 50-member chorus directed by Richard Hutton, presents “Be Staid…a choral reflection for our time” on Saturday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral (310 W. 2nd Street, Reno) and on Sunday, May 15, at 4:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (200 N. Division Street, Carson City).

Donor Network West invites northern Nevadans to the National Bowling Stadium at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19 for ‘Spare a Life,’ a family-friendly fundraising event with bowling, food, prizes and fun that supports a great cause. The inaugural ‘Spare a Life’ event will fund education, outreach and research efforts for organ donation. Plus, attendees can participate in a strike contest for a chance to win a $10K grand prize, sponsored by the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce, if they bowl 10 strikes in a row.

The Virginia Truckee Railroad begins its 47th season on Saturday, May28, 2022. Steam locomotive engine number 29 will be running roundtrips from Virginia City to Gold Hill on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday May 28-30. This 35-minute ride runs seven times each day, beginning at 10:30am.

The featured speaker at Monday's Democratic luncheon will be Elliott Parker, PhD, Professor of Economics at the University of Nevada-Reno. His PowerPoint presentation will bring the current economic headlines — from ongoing labor shortages to supply chain disruptions to stubbornly high inflation rates and Fed monetary policy responses — into the context of longer-term macroeconomic trends.

This week, host Brother Dan Palmer welcomes singer/songwriter Darren Senn to The Bank Saloon in Carson City, for his weekly livestream “The Brother Dan Show.”

Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play promoted by the National Parks Trust. This year, the event will be hosted at Mills Park from 10:00am – 2:00pm on Saturday, May 21, 2022 and will include educational booths, music, food, outdoor activities, and the inaugural Carson City Junior Park Ranger Olympics! The whole community is invited to join in on this fun day of outdoor play.

On Saturday May 14, Wylder Resort Hope Valley (formerly Sorenson’s Resort) continues its Eastern Sierra History series with a 50-minute presentation, “The Wedding of the Waters.” Hear how in 1937, Father John Crowley of Lone Pine, organized, planned and executed the Eastern Sierra’s largest and grandest event ever held.

Meet local author Susan Winters for an entertaining event sponsored by the Silver Stage Library Friends. Susan balances writing with working as a fulltime corporate paralegal. Her articles have appeared in "edible Reno-Tahoe" and the "Reno News and Review." As Mariposa Cruz, she is the author of seven romance titles including the Rhythm and Romance series. Book signing will follow her talk.

U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s office is hosting an in-person, drop-in office hours session for the public this Thursday, May 12, 2022, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the Carson City Library, located at 900 N. Roop St. in Carson City. No appointments are necessary.

Don't miss the two GRAMMY award-winning giants of jazz as they perform with the 17-piece Reno Jazz Orchestra for a cool and classy night of big brass and blues. Known for her pitch-perfect execution, crystalline 3 ½ octave vocal range, and electric personality, Diane shares the stage with Ernie Watts, one of the world’s most versatile saxophone musicians. Enjoy this super-star evening as Diane redefines the ‘diva' category with her warm and humorous interactions.

Join Us for Our Monthly Wine Walk, Voted Reno's BEST monthly event for almost 20 years! The Third Saturday of Every Month.

The Carson City Moose Lodge 2709 will offer a unique experience on May 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. For just $25, participants can ride the train in Mills Park which will make several stops in order to get off and sample 10 different wines or craft beers.

The Reno community is invited to enjoy a mid-week break with fresh, frozen margaritas at Mountain Lakes Estates, 765 S. Meadows Parkway, Reno, on Wednesday, May 18, 3-5 p.m.

The Heart of Nevada Pageant at the Nevada State Fair is currently accepting contestants ahead of the June 4 pageant. Contestants can be any age, and include both boys and girls as well as women.

In addition to the traditional pageants, there will also be “Just for Fun” Mommy and Me and Best Friend contests.

A Carson City Charter Review Committee meeting will be held Tuesday, May 17 beginning at 1:30 p.m. inside the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Carson City Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

Items up for discussion include possible amendments relating to the exercising of emergency powers in Carson City.

There will be a Johnny Cash Tribute Show on Saturday, June 11, 6 p.m. at 410 East John Street behind the Cracker Box Diner.

The Saturday night Carson City community event features is free and everyone is welcome. Call for Info: (775) 386-5576

Nevada Health Centers’ school-based health center in Carson City will offer COVID-19, flu and other select vaccinations to adults and children during a walk-in clinic Wednesday, May 11, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Voting in a primary is important, even more so in non-presidential election years when voter turnout is generally low, thus those who choose to vote are the ones responsible for choosing candidates who will either advance to the general election or may win in the primary.

Lyon County Commission Chair Ken Gray has scheduled a Town Hall meeting to discuss traffic safety issues on U.S. 50. The Town Hall is scheduled for May 16, 2022, at 6:00 PM at the Dayton Calvary Chapel, 28 Enterprise Way Dayton.

Check out the free Senior Celebration Health Fair from 8 am to 12 noon, Thursday, May 12 at the Casino Fandango Grand Ballroom in Carson City.

Senior Service Network’s signature annual fundraiser, Senior Celebration, was first held in 1998 and has steadily grown each year since.

Senior Celebration features information about health, happiness, independent living and other products and services of interest to seniors and their families. Entry to the event is free to all.

Come experience Northern Nevada's finest jazz musicians as Music Director Doug Coomler and the Reno Jazz Orchestra present the music of the Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Orchestra.

This big band jazz Orchestra became world-famous, especially with their 1967 release, Live at the Village Vanguard. The album was nominated for a GRAMMY in that same year under the category of "Best Instrumental Jazz Performance of a Large Group." The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra went on to win a GRAMMY in 1979.

A bonus! The Reno Jazz Workshop students open both concerts.

Top chili cooks from around the region will be stoking their tangy, spicy concoctions at the 39th annual Chili on the Comstock festival in Virginia City, May 21-22.

Combined with a Craft Beer Tour featuring pours from Virginia City saloons and award-winning craft breweries, organizers call it the Comstock's most deliciously satisfying event of the year.

Classical Tahoe Festival and Music Institute has announced its upcoming season, July 14 to August 18, 2022.

Come on down to Gardnerville where Nevada Ugly will be hosting Keith Alan Barnett and the Lonesome Polecat Band beginning at 9pm in Friday, May 13.

The Nest Cards & Collectibles, Carson City’s Friendly Local Game Store, is celebrating its 2nd year in business. It is now asking for support from its community to help with difficult times.

Come on out to MidTown Marketplace's Spring Peddlers Market & Craft Show this Saturday May 14th from 9am-2pm. Our parking lot will be full of vendor booths selling vintage and collectables, antiques, home and garden decor, furniture, hand crafted foods and items made by local artisans. Don Jose Bar & Grill will also be offering specials to all attendees who stop by the Peddlers Market. Location is 104 Corbett Street, just off of N. Carson St in Carson City.