Bella Fiore Wines

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.

Do you feel like I do, Carson City? If you love living here, than the answer is yes. It’s Wednesday in our fair capital city and that means jazz and blues: jazz jam tonight at Sassafras and lunchtime blues and Americana at Comma Coffee. If you’re feeling a little bit country, than head over to Carson Lanes for some line dance instruction in the Eleventh Frame Lounge. For those of you in Dayton, may I suggest you see what the talented students at Dayton High are up to: their annual Night of the Arts is open to the community and showcases art, theater, music, and culinary savvy.

WEDNESDAY: Earth Day

• Nevada Arts Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free glazed donut with medium drink at Dunkin Donuts
• Last day: ‘Always Lost: A Meditation on War’ in the Second Floor Atrium of the Legislature Building

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)

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

What’s up, Carson City? Hopefully you’ve got your taxes wrapped up for the year. If you’ve left it until the last moment, you can get them filed online or head to the post office until 5 p.m.; for those who need a last minute postmark, the Reno Main Post Office at 2000 Vassar Street will accept tax returns for postmarking up to 12 midnight.

WEDNESDAY: Tax Day

• Oral Health Awareness Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free glazed donut with medium drink at Dunkin Donuts
• ‘The Observation and Conclusion’ by artist Joseph Watson at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

This Tuesday is a day for celebrating. You can choose to celebrate Library Week with a look at an amazing collection of old west memorabilia. Cake awaits at the fourteenth anniversary program of Mile High Jazz at Comma Coffee, in addition to some great musicians and vocalists. Or help Youth Theater Carson City celebrate the end of their third season of performances with a fun-filled night of entertainment, raffles, awards and more at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center.

• TUESDAY:
• Williams Street Entrance to Mills Park closed
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

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)

Wednesdays are such a good day for music in Carson City. Lunchtime blues at Comma Coffee, Three Olives and a Twist leading the Jazz Jam at Sassafras, tunes to dine by at Z’ Bistro, Glen Eagles, and Living the Good Life. Shake yourself out of the mid-week doldrums with some Line Dancing at Carson Lanes. Check out the list for all your options.

WEDNESDAY:

• Carson School District Spring Break
• Latino Lobby Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free glazed donut with medium drink at Dunkin Donuts

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.

WINE WALK! Are you excited? Of course you are. Last month broke records with the number of participants at the Downtown Business Association wine walk, so let’s keep up the momentum and head downtown for Carson City’s best monthly event. The flowers are blooming and that makes our capital city that much more beautiful to meander through. Fun fact: It’s National Walk Around Things Day, so downtown is the perfect destination. Grab your friends and family and plan on a great afternoon.

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.

Watch out, Carson City, April Fools Day brings mischief. Today also brings some cooler temperatures and wind gusts, but that’s no reason to stay at home. Plenty of live music tonight.

It may be a day for pranks, but child abuse is no joke; join the Advocates to End Domestic Violence at the Legislature for the annual planting of Pinwheels for Prevention.

Get a glimpse of the world beyond at the Carson City Library: Dixie and Rob Jennings-Teats discuss their time living in Indonesia and Malaysia.

WEDNESDAY:

Yesterday was a day for walking in the park, but today is a day for Walken: Christopher Walken, that it. Happy birthday to him. (Go here for more cowbell.) If you are interested in a nice stroll though, join Carson City Parks and Recreation for their Tuesday morning ‘Easy Walk.’ If you want more of a challenge, Muscle Powered has a moderate conditioning hike in the afternoon.

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.

Are you ready to enjoy yourself? The weekends aren't the only time for fun in Carson City and today’s line up proves that. Have some laughs for a good cause at the Brewery Arts Center with Comedienne Kat Simmons and help raise funds for Nevada Rural Counties Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP.) They are the ones that sponsor the numerous carnivals at Mills Park throughout the year, in addition to coordinating volunteer programs and helping seniors stay independent.

Can I just designate this Steve McQueen Day? After all it is his birthday, but it’s so more than that. The Great Escape, one of McQueen’s most iconic films, is based the true story of 76 Allied prisoners of war and how, on this day in 1944, they began breaking out of the German camp Stalag Luft III. I wonder if the casting directors knew of the connection.

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.

I hope everyone is feeling okay this morning; lots of fun was had throughout town yesterday. Please be aware that schoolchildren are celebrating Nevada Moves Day today, and there will be several little ones walking or biking to school.

Enjoy a nice dinner tonight, complete with live music, if you head to Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint, Glen Eagles, or Living the Good Life. The Carson City Symphony is looking for bassoons, French horns, and violas to join them at rehearsals tonight.

Every year on March 17, the Irish and the Irish-at-heart across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green. Carson City definitely gets in on the game with festivities all over town. Corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and live music abound. I've included a short YouTube video of Tom and Mary Kay Aufrance who will be performing at Red's this evening.

May the Irish hills caress you.

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 middle of the week, and if you’re like me, you are still adjusting to the time change. Get the blood pumping with some live music. Head to Sassafras for a Jazz Jam headed by Tom Miller, or maybe to Living the Good Life where Mick and Lynne will entertain you. Cowboy boots are not required if you want to get in on the country line dance lessons at Carson Lanes. If you’re a musician, the Carson City Symphony is looking for violinists and French horn players to join them at their rehearsals.

There’s a good chance that you are viewing this on a phone. I think that Alexander Graham Bell would be blown away with how far his invention had come in the 139 years since he first said ‘Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you’. Today is the birthday of the first telephone call."

The athletics program at Western Nevada College is facing drastic cuts. A group is forming to seek ways to fundraise and keep our Wildcats in the game. Head over to the Legislature Building this morning at 10 a.m.; you’re looking for room 2149.

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.

It's Wine Walk Weekend in Carson City! Every first Saturday over thirty shops, restaurants, businesses, and organizations stock up on wine and goodies and throw open their doors to the crowds of merry-makers. It's always a great reason to explore downtown. Make sure to stop into Morley's Books where author Sandie LaNae will have copies of her books for sale and signing.