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“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service… You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke those words, and they still ring true today. A community is what a community does, and ours is filled with people that do amazing things for others. As we stand at the beginning of a new year, consider getting involved with a local non-profit: FISH, Advocates to End Domestic Violence, and the Nevada Humane Society are just a few of the great organizations in our valley.

Curious about the stone house on the east side of Mills Park across from Carson High School, off Saliman Road? It's the historic Wungnema House.

We may be two weeks into 2018 but resolutions are still going strong. We work as humans to better our lives; how many of you do the same for your pets? New Year resolutions are a long tradition.

Playing in the snow probably isn’t an option for this weekend, but Singing in the Rain sure is. The kids of Youth Theater Carson City present a junior adaptation of the musical favorite this weekend and next. The Experimental Aircraft Association hosts ‘Young Eagle’ flights every few months at the Carson Airport to give kids 8 – 17 a plane ride to remember. Help out the Dayton Food Bank during their ‘Stuff-a-Cop-Car’ food drive at the Smith’s in Dayton; unexpired non-perishables of all kinds are appreciated. Read on and see what else the weekend brings.

SATURDAY:

We have survived the first week of 2018, and that deserves some celebration. Put a smile on your face at the Brewery Arts Center: their monthly improv night will have you in stitches. Ev Musselman of the Trippin King Snakes takes the stage at Living the Good Life and will have you on the dance floor. Meet artist Carrie White at the Carson City Art Gallery. Her bright abstract-impressionistic work will be showcased throughout the month. Read on for all of Friday’s fun stuff.

Friday, Jan. 5: Things to do in Carson City

The Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation on Tuesday named Carson City as one of 15 small to mid-sized towns and cities across America to win a Levitt AMP Grant Award of $25,000 in matching funds to present a free concert series at the Minnesota Street Stage. The Brewery Arts Center has been a recipient of the grant for the third straight year.

Are you ready to ring in the new year? 2018 is just around the corner, and there will be plenty of celebrations to choose from. Whether you’re looking to stay close to home or head out into a neighboring valley, you’ll find it right here. Please stay safe: designate a sober drive, call a cab, or get a ride from UBER or LYFT.

AAA TIPSY TOW: 1-800-222-4357 (Free Tow up to 10 miles from 6pm Dec. 31 until 6am Jan. 1 – you do NOT need to be a AAA member. Stay safe tonight!) 

CAPITAL CAB: 775-885-0300 

CARSON CITY NYE CELEBRATIONS:

It’s finally here, the last weekend of 2017. It’s fairly quiet around town, until Sunday night, that is. Today, Muscle Powered is leading a five-mile half-day hike along Prison Hill. Take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, and join them. The Carson Nugget is hosting three nights of comedy this weekend: catch Myles Weber on the stage tonight. Head’s up. Galaxy Theater usually plays a movie from the past on Sundays and Wednesdays. This week, we get treated to the Christmas Classic, Die Hard. You won’t want to miss that.

SATURDAY:

Berg, an abandoned, neglected and scared white poodle had seen better days.

He clearly had been on the streets for quite some time, but his story ran wild on social media as the community and animal welfare organizations came together to help him.

The temperature today will seem more spring-like than we expect for December, but you may as well take advantage. Muscle Powered is headed up Prison Hill this afternoon; grab a friend, a friendly dog, and your camera for a fun time. You’ll always find Thursday karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar hosted by the boys of J and M Productions. Jimmy Rollins takes the stage at Living the Good Life, and Dave Leather sings the blues at Sassafras. Where ever the day takes you, have a good one.

THURSDAY: Dec. 28

It’s Christmas Day! This morning, I woke up and did a short video about what matters today and every day. This is a holiday filled with grand gestures. However, to me, it’s not the grand gestures we should strive for every day. It’s the simple pleasures of life that spread the spirit of joy, giving, peace, and love year-round.

There are some fairly excited kids throughout the valley. This last Friday before Christmas marks the beginning of winter break. The Carson City Library invites everyone in the community to participate in the annual Winter Read-a-thon with a goal of 90,000 minutes read (or listened to) over the next two weeks. Sign up on-line or at their kick-off event this afternoon. Comedian John Mencarelli headlines Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget, and you’ll find the Rebekah Chase Band on stage in their Loft. Even more awaits, so read on and have a great day.

Friday, Dec. 22

As I write this last column before Christmas, I know I’m supposed to be full of holiday spirit but I’m going to get personal. The last two weeks have been challenging. It’s making me struggle to find the meaning of this season. So I ask for your help despite the fact you may need to break out the tissues.

Four were arrested Friday on felony drug charges after Carson City Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team deputies attempted to make a high risk traffic stop when the driver failed to pull over.

The Carson City Senior Center collected more than 550 gifts from area residents and businesses for homebound seniors this year. The Carson City Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program delivers almost 300 meals to homebound seniors daily. In the past year, the Center has provided over 79,500 hot meals.

Santa comes in all shapes, sizes, and apparently, vehicles. Hop aboard the Santa Train at the Nevada Railroad Museum. It’s an out-of-this-world Alien Santa at the annual Zen Christmas at A to Zen. A cookie-loving Santa can be found at Adele’s during their annual toy drive for the Ron Wood Resource Center. If your ‘kids’ are the four-legged kind, then head over to PetSmart or Paws to Pur-fection Dog Grooming for your holiday photos. In addition to the Santa-mania, you’ll find a downtown Carson Beer Crawl, two plays at the Brewery Arts Center, and plenty of music.

Friday has finally arrived, and it has brought some nightlife with it. Enjoy the Trippin King Snakes on stage at the Max Casino. The Carson Nugget gives you comedian John Hilder in Carson Comedy and the band Adrenaline playing in ‘The Loft.’ Kids will love the Wild Horse Children’s Theater production of ‘Honk, Jr.’, while ‘Love/Sick,’ performed by the Proscenium Players, is meant for an older audience. Let Roska Entertainment take you into late-night with their weekly dance party in Battle Born Social’s Sage Lounge.

FRIDAY:

The Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation is holding an Open House at the Wungnema House in Mills Park Sunday, Dec. 17 from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Carson City area is awash in entertainment, shopping, and family-friendly options this weekend. Santa Claus is popping up all over, including at Benson Feed for the annual CASI Pet Photos with St. Nick and aboard the train at our Railroad Museum’s Santa Train. The musical ‘Honk, Jr’ for the young ones and Love/Sick for the older crowd are on the stage at the Brewery Arts Center. Spend the day at the Silver Saddle Ranch: their annual Holiday Open House is the perfect time to explore their trails and learn more about the working ranch’s preservation.

Dog Town Canine Rescue will host a Holiday Boutique Booth this weekend at the Carson Mall. The booth will be there Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Two people face drug trafficking and transportation charges after deputies recovered more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine and around a half pound of heroin during a traffic stop early Wednesday morning, a Carson City sheriff’s deputy said.

With December arriving we are counting the days until Christmas. So deck the halls, get some jingle bells and wassail away this holiday season. Here's what's happening now through Christmas around Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton and Virginia City areas.

Three were arrested Friday in the area of College Parkway and Research Way on multiple charges, with one having a felony bench warrant for his arrest, a Carson City sheriff’s deputy said.

The rumors of Santa Claus coming to town are true. The jolly old man is making several appearances today, and is feeling photogenic. Take a ride with him at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, join him on the ‘Elf Crawl’ from the Capitol to the Carson Mall, or tell him your wish list at Debug Computers. Adults have a hard choice to make: the monthly downtown wine walk and the Holiday with a Hero Pub Crawl both take place today, and I’m not sure I’d recommend attempting both.

December has arrived, and all things holidays are on the way. The annual Silver and Snowflakes Tree Lighting Celebration tonight will shut down traffic on Carson City for a little while. Sleigh rides, caroling, the Empty Bowls Soup Fest, and a performance by the Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers are just some of the planned festivities. Stay downtown for comedy at the Carson Nugget, Improv at the Brewery Arts Center, or a live DJ at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar and at Battle Born Social. Keep reading, though, that’s just the tip of the Friday happenings iceberg.

FRIDAY:

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension 4-H Clubs held their 2016-2017 Awards Night at the Governor’s Mansion Nevada Room on Nov. 15. At least 100 4-H youth from Carson City and Storey County received recognition for their accomplishments during the year.

We are days away from a winter wonderland: halls will be decked, and everything will be merry and bright. On Thursday, Gardnerville will flip the switch on its holiday lights, with help from Santa. Friday, the capital city hosts the Silver and Snowflakes Tree Lighting Celebration, as well as the very yummy Empty Bowls Soup Fest. Saturday, in addition to Carson City’s monthly downtown wine walk and the annual Holiday with a Hero Crawl, Minden holds its annual Christmas Parade.

Tis the season for visits with Santa, holiday twinkle lights, and craft fairs and festivals. In order to make your December planning a little easier, take a look at what is coming up in the Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton, and Virginia City area. Go deck the halls, get some jingle bells, and wassail away.

Hoping to at least double the proceeds from last year's annual Pets of the Homeless fundraising campaign, a pair of Carson City businesses have teamed up for a third consecutive year in an effort to help the pets of homeless people across the United States.

Two were arrested Friday and face multiple felony charges including maintaining a drug house, providing drugs to a minor, possession of drugs and child endangerment, a Carson City sheriff’s deputy said.