I Love Carson City's Weekend Event Summary: Dec. 17 - 18

Oh baby, it’s cold outside. Jack Frost seems to be working overtime this weekend, bringing temperatures that will barely rise above freezing. I suggest some hot cocoa. Join Santa at Adele’s for pictures, cookies, and something warm to drink, just remember to bring an unwrapped toy to donate. The Littlest Things is holding a Community Kindness Party at Food for Thought: cookies and cocoa are on the menu there, too. Don’t miss the last weekend of the Santa Train at the Nevada Railroad Museum. Bundle up for a memorable experience. Read on and you’ll find all the happenings in Carson City, Douglas, and Dayton.

SATURDAY:

• First LEGO League Northern Nevada Qualifier Tournament at Eagle Valley Middle School (registration 7:30am; Opening ceremonies for the robot games starts at 11:45am; Snack bar and bar-b-que lunch hosted by EVMS Robotics Teams as a fundraiser)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Jenny Schnabel at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)
• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)
• In Jesus Name Free Medical Clinic at the Bridge Church: 901 N. Stewart St. (Must check-in 9am-12pm; FREE; first come first seen; Family Practice, Pediatrics, Dermatology, Orthopedists and multiple specialty doctors available; NO narcotics, NO disability or legal evaluations; Coffee, snacks and lunch provided)
• Breakfast and Bowl at Carson Lanes (9am-12pm; breakfast and unlimited bowling until noon $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• Carson City Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Trains leave every half hour 10am-3pm; Train rides $5, children 3 and under who sit in an adult's lap are free; Refreshments, including hot cocoa, available for purchase; raffle)
• ‘Stuff a Cop Car’ Toy Drive at the Smith’s in Dayton (10am-3pm)
• Santa at the Galaxy Theater – Fandango (10am-2pm)
• Arlington Square Ice Rink (WEATHER PERMITTING; Sessions 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, 6pm-10pm; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental)

The Arlington Square Ice Rink is a place to make memories, just don’t forget your gloves. For indoor holiday cheer, head to A to Zen and partake in their annual Zen Christmas Party.

• Cookie Decorating for kids at Genoa Coffee and Candy in Carson Lanes (10am-7pm; one free cookie for kids 10 and under)
• Holiday Craft Fair at the Carson Mall (Vendors 10am-5pm; Santa photos 10am-6pm)
• Hiring Event at Dutch Bros. Coffee: 2083-A South Lompa Lane (10am-12pm and 1pm-4pm; bring your resume)
• Annual Nevada Day Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• Cookies with Santa at Adele’s: 1112 N Carson St. (11am-2pm; $5 adults, free for children; photos, live music, cookies, hot chocolate/cider; Please bring an unwrapped toy to donate. Proceeds to benefit Ron Wood Family Resource Center)
• Tales and Wags Therapy Dogs at the Carson City Library (11am-12pm; Participants can read to the dogs and will receive a free book; under 9 yrs old must be accompanied by someone 13+)
• Swim Class for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Carson City Aquatic Facility (11am; $4)
• WARF Cat and Kitten Adoption Event at Petco on Topsy Lane (11am-4pm; all cats are fixed, vaccinated and micro-chipped)
• Holiday Open House at Joe Benigno's Tree Service: 1460 Industrial Way, Gardnerville (11am-3pm; kids activities, hot chocolate bar; Bring a food donation to support the Douglas County Food Closet and you could win a Hand Carved Snow Man)

The annual Festival of Trees at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center is always a beautiful sight. Help them celebrate the talented artisans at today’s reception. Then head over to Joe Benigno’s Tree Service for some activities and hot chocolate.

• Douglas Co. Historical Society’s Artisan Reception at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center: 1477 Hwy 395, Gardnerville (12pm-2pm; free; Honoring all creators of the gingerbread houses, snow globes and Christmas trees)
• A to Zen's Annual ‘Zen Christmas’ with live music, food drive, and more: 1803 N. Carson St. (12pm-6pm)
• Community Kindness Party at Food for Thought: 3246 N Carson St Unit 118 (1pm-3pm; free cocoa and cookies; If you would like to do a Christmas ornament craft or create a pinecone bird feeder please bring non-perishable individual serving food items or children’s book for Food for Thought; sponsored by the Littlest Things)
• Christmas Party at Ed's Doghouse (3pm; bring a dish to share)
• Live Music with Catfish Carl at 1862 David Walley's Restaurant and Saloon in Genoa (5pm-9pm)
• Nevada Christmas: music and light display at 1176 Chaparral Ct., Minden – off Stephanie Way (5:30pm-10pm, no show if raining; donation drive for Austin’s House: food, money, gift certificates; please do NOT block or park in driveways)
• Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• Live Nativity Scene on the front lawn of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church: 1837 Mountain St (6pm-8pm)
• Live Music with GHI Jazz at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (6pm-8pm; sit-ins welcome)

It will be a blue Christmas if you miss out on the Elvis Holiday Spectacular at the Community Center. The Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers are sure to impress. The Nightmare Before Christmas Dance Recital at Virginia City’s Piper’s Opera House features a number of talented kids from Storey and Lyon Counties.

• Live Music with Gary Douglas at J’s Old Town Bistro, Dayton (6pm; Reservations recommended 775-246-4400)
• Star Party at Western Nevada College’s Observatory: 2699 Van Patten Ave (6pm-10:30pm; free; weather permitting -NOT open if it is snowing and/or there is snow on the roads)
• Eighth Annual Gardnerville Santa Crawl in Downtown Gardnerville (6pm-10pm, 10pm costume contest at Buckaroo’s; donation of $10 or more to participate, get crawl ticket at the Overland, JT’s, the French Bar, Battle Born Wine, Sharkey’s, NV Ugly, or Buckaroos; benefits the Austin House and Carson Valley Food Closet)
• Rock N Bowl at the Gold Dust West Bowling Center (6pm-10pm)
• Colors of Dance Studio presents 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' Dance Recital at Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City (6:30pm; $10; raffle and refreshments available for purchase)
• Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers Elvis Holiday Spectacular at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center (7pm; $12)
• Live Music with Terri Campillo, Craig Fletcher, and friends at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm-10pm)
• Live Music with the John Dawson Band at Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
• Dance Party with DJ Chicago Kit at SlotWorld Casino (8pm-11pm)

Santa has jolly red cheeks, and you will too if you partake in the Eighth Annual Downtown Gardnerville Santa Crawl. Track down your ugliest sweater, grab your friends, and celebrate the season. If pajamas are more your style, then the Christmas Pajama Jam and Singles Mingle at Living the Good Life your best bet.

• Live Music with Nevada Hazzurd at the Eleventh Frame Winners Lounge, Carson Lanes (8pm-12am; must be 21+)
• Live Music with Lady And The Tramps in the Carson Nugget Sports Bar (8pm-12am)
• Live Music with the Trippin King Snakes at the Max Casino (8pm-12am)
• Live Music with the Blues Monsters in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (8pm-1am)
• Karaoke at the Westside Pour House (8pm)
• Karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill (8pm)
• Christmas Country with Lacey Dalton and the Dalton Gang at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (8:30pm; $35; for information call 775-847-7474)
• First Annual Christmas Pajama Jam and Monthly Single Mingle with DJ R Styles at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson St. (9pm; pajama contest – prizes for sexiest and coziest)
• DJ Dance Party at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm-2am)

Just one last week to go until Hanukkah and Christmas. The Carson Mall is jam-packed full of crafters and unique shops for some of your last-minute gift purchases. Hop in the car and take a tour of the brightly lit downtown and houses throughout the area. Kids will enjoy decorating a cookie at Genoa Candy and Coffee in Carson Lanes; you may as well get there early and bowl a few games first.

SUNDAY:

• Christmas Bird Count with the Lahontan Autoban Society; meet at Burger King: 3589 N. Carson St. (meet at 7am; please e-mail Rob Lowry privately with your name or names of other participants at rlowry517@aol.com )
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Jenny Schnabel at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)
• Muscle Powered Weekly Bike Ride - Meet in the south parking lot of Fremont Elementary School, next to the Linear Ditch Trail (meet at 9am; consists of two loops 10-15 miles long each, this will allow a rider to do 10-15 miles or 20-30 miles; ride pace will vary depending on rider level, but usually about 12-16 mph; All riders must have a bicycle in safe working condition, helmet, and closed toed shoes. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting site; email Shane shane@shanetrotter.net with any questions)
• Breakfast and Bowl at Carson Lanes (9am-12pm; breakfast and unlimited bowling until noon $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• Carson City Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Trains leave every half hour 10am-3pm; Train rides $5, children 3 and under who sit in an adult's lap are free; Refreshments, including hot cocoa, available for purchase; raffle)
• Cookie Decorating for kids at Genoa Coffee and Candy in Carson Lanes (10am-7pm; one free cookie for kids 10 and under)
• Holiday Craft Fair at the Carson Mall (Vendors 10am-5pm; Santa photos 10am-6pm)
• Santa at the Galaxy Theater – Fandango (10am-2pm)
• Arlington Square Ice Rink (WEATHER PERMITTING; Sessions 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, 6pm-9pm; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental)

Still need a picture with Santa? You’ll find Ole’ Saint Nick at the Carson Mall, Galaxy Theater, and aboard the Santa Train at the Nevada Railroad Museum. Get your fill of Christmas Carols at the ‘Thanks for the Socks’ Tintabulation Handbell Concert at St. Paul’s Lutheran.

• Barony of Fal Dare, Amtgard Live Action Role Play Plus Combat Group at Mills Park, at the end of Oxoby Loop (12pm-4pm; Foam sword fighting, crafts, classes; child-friendly, under 18 must have a waiver signed by their parents; newcomers welcome, for info email FalDareMonarchy@gmail.com )
• Raiders Booster Club at the Eleventh Frame Lounge in Carson Lanes (vs the San Diego Chargers; 1:25pm; food/drink specials; supervised kids under 21 welcome)
• Weekly Pool Tournament at Whiskey Tavern (register 1pm; 2pm start; $10 per person)
• Pool Tournament at Remedy’s (2pm-5pm; $5 buy-in; APA Rules)
• The Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation (FCCPR) hosts an Open House for the historic Wungnema House on the east end of Mills Park - The building is accessible by the Park entrance on Saliman Road, opposite the high school (2pm-5pm; Free)
• Nevada Christmas: music and light display at 1176 Chaparral Ct., Minden – off Stephanie Way (5:30pm-10pm, no show if raining; donation drive for Austin’s House: food, money, gift certificates; please do NOT block or park in driveways)
• Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble presents ‘Thanks for the Socks’ Winter Concert at Saint Paul’s Family Lutheran: 1201 N Saliman (7pm-8pm)

Every week, I create a list of the fun stuff and events going on around the Carson City area for my Facebook page, I Love Carson City. There is quite a bit to do in our beautiful capital this week, so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great weekend.

My weekly Facebook list includes Friday-Thursday, so please go HERE for events beyond Sunday, or just wait for my daily ‘Things to do’ here on Carson Now. You do NOT need a Facebook account to access the information.

As always, Carson Now welcomes reader contributions to our website. Go HERE to submit an event, photo, or item of interest.