family fun

Time to hit the books, Carson City, the new school year begins today. Keep an eye out for kids on bikes and in crosswalks all over town, and please drive safely. Mondays are usually quiet in our valley, but you’ll find the High Sierra Swing Dance Club jazzing it up at El Charro Avita. Head up to Gold Hill for a tour of their haunted hotel and stick around for drinks or dinner. Have some family fun at Carson Lanes: games are only $1 all day.

MONDAY:

• Carson City School District’s First Day of School

Join us at Reds Old 395 Grill Friday, July 29 from 4pm-8pm. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation and Red's Old 395 Grill will be hosting a fundraiser with family fun and Smokey Bear.

Compassion spreads like wildfire. Show off your beard with a wild beard contest with a $10 entry fee. 100% of all raffle tickets, cash donations and beard contest entries will go directly to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Bureau of Land Management - Nevada will also be out with Smokey Bear educating the public about the dangers of forest fires.

Families unite at Mills Park in Carson City on Saturday, August 27 for Northern Nevada Family Fun Day.
This event features live music, workshop, shopping, raffles, a Kids Zone, giveaways, raffles and more. There will be rock climbing demonstrations, face painting, pirates, music, a photo booth, ice cream, refreshments and more.

Funday begins at 11 a.m. and runs to 9 p.m.

The event is a fundraiser for Faith Hope Love Northern Nevada.

Compared to the last few weekends, Carson City is downright sleepy. That just makes it much easier to get around town and explore. Head to Mills Park for the First Annual Polynesian Festival in the Marv Teixeira Pavillion. Glen Eagles welcomes back the Regional Chili Cook-off this weekend; get your fill of some amazing grub and help raise funds for Honor Flight Nevada. Catch one of last few performances of Wild Horse Children’s Theater’s Aladdin, Jr. Continue reading for other great ways to spend your time.

SATURDAY:

Hold onto your hats, Carson City, summer has arrived with a bang. Bikes, brews, bulls and broncs are just a few of the things you’ll find on this event summary. Whether you are looking for adult fun, family fun, art, music, shopping, or something outdoorsy, look no further: Carson City and her neighboring valleys are packed full of fun.

SATURDAY:

• Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (178 mile relay race; begins at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno; legs 24-28 run through Carson City)

Ready to have some fun? Virginia City’s Chili on the Comstock Cook-off goes on all weekend. For some healthier fare, hit up the Spring Farmers Market downtown. Go fly a kite at Dangberg Home Historic Park, just past Douglas High School on Highway 88; their ‘Something in the Wind’ Celebration is both Saturday and Sunday. Don’t forget to leave non-perishable food by your mailbox: the annual ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ food drive is today. Take a gander at the whole list, there is plenty of stuff to do in the Carson City area this weekend.

SATURDAY:

I am not even going to attempt guessing what weather we have in store. The west side of the Sierras are notoriously unpredictable. You are much better off betting on the Kentucky Derby; and the Firkin and Fox is just the place to cheer on your favorite horse.

Sundays can be lazy, but with this list of things to do, they needn’t be. BMX Racing has returned for the season and can be found at the Livermore Sports Complex off Edmonds. Fall down the rabbit hole and find yourself at the Community Center for the matinee of Alice in Wonderland Jr. Check out Children’s Day on the Comstock in Virginia City for food and family fun.

SUNDAY:

• National Library Week

What a wonderful community we live in. Music, theater, hiking, biking, wining, dining, walking, TED-talking, animal loving, state governing, and so much more are available in our valley. The days are getting longer and there is so much in store for us in the coming weeks and months as we journey into summer. Take a good gander at my list of what’s going on in the Carson City area. It is always arranged chronologically by start time.

SATURDAY:

Spring has sprung. Days getting longer, flowers blooming, and now Easter weekend is upon us. Egg hunts, brunches, and even a parade are all part of the fun. Take a look at this weekend’s event summary for family fun, live music, and much more.

SATURDAY:

Easter bonnets, baskets, eggs, and bunnies are about to descend, and here is a sneak peek at where to find the fun. Most all of the egg hunts are free, but I've made sure to include an entry price if one exists.

SATURDAY, March 26:

Celebrate Easter at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (10am-4pm; Storytime at 11am; special crafts and egg hunt; $6 adults, children free)

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner and the celebrations have begun. The Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada has crafts and Irish dancers. Carson Lanes is hosting their annual Pot of Gold Tournament. The Downtown Reno Leprechaun Crawl is always a crazy time. Take a look at this weekend summary to find the fun for miles around.

SATURDAY:

Got kids? Plenty of fun awaits. Start out at Dunkin Donuts for their Community Celebration complete with face painting and more. Love on a Leash at the Carson City Library will give them a chance to practice their reading skills with a non-judgmental furry friend. Celebrate the Asian New Year with crafts and music at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada. Take a look at the whole list for a weekend filled with activities for those young, old, and in-between.

SATURDAY:

Dunkin’ Donuts’ Carson City location will host a special community celebration on Saturday, February 20, to help welcome new store management. The local franchise, located at 2190 E. William Street, will also present a check for $1,000 to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada to help support the fight against hunger in Carson City.

Join Sierra Lutheran High School this Saturday, January 16th, for some family fun.

ALL grade school students (1st-8th grade) and their families are invited to attend one or more of the SLHS home basketball games on Saturday. Admission is free; there will be a snack bar, giveaways, half-time shooting games, and more.

Game times are as follows: JV Girls 1:00pm, JV Boys 2:30pm, Varsity Girls 4:00pm, Varsity Boys 5:30pm

Don't let Monday get you down. Start the week off with some family fun at Carson Lanes Bowling Alley: games are only one dollar all day. For more fun with games, check out Nerdvana in their new location at Airport and Highway 50 East. They host a weekly family game night, in addition to other offerings. Get your fill of chicken wings for a good cause. Buffalo Wild Wings will donate ten percent of your bill if you let them know you love our roller derby girls. Enjoy the Monday Night Music Series at Sierra Place Senior Living: gospel singer Loretta Skinner is this week’s featured performer.

MONDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

We all have a favorite time of year and mine is Girl Scout Cookie Season. Pre-sales begin today, so track down your favorite scout and order some Thin Mints. Speaking of yummy treats, join the Experimental Aircraft Association for donuts this morning and learn more about our local chapter. Have a great weekend, Carson City. Check out the list below for all of your local options.

SATURDAY:

• Girl Scout Cookie pre-sales begin
• Seniors Swim Free at Paradise Salon and Spa: Executive Pointe off College Pkwy (7am-5pm, except during class times; 55 and older; indoor adult warm saltwater pools)
• Coffee and Donuts with Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am-12pm, all welcome)

Puppet stories, animal stamp crafts and studying the signs of scat are all on the menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, as the Nevada State Museum, Carson City, celebrates “Beastly Encounters and Coyote Stories,” an educational and fun program for all ages.

A fun family program for all ages, designed to enhance awareness of animal behavior and habitats in Nevada and the role of animals in American Indian culture and storytelling. We will share coyote stories and allow children to participate using animal puppets depicting coyote, rabbit, and other favorites.

The clock is ticking for last minute shoppers. Luckily, Carson City has great options for everyone on the list. Telegraph Square in downtown will be hopping with a Santa parade, vendors, and a pirate ship, in addition to great shops. The Brewery Arts Center is hosting a weekend-long art sale with one of a kind options throughout the campus. Art is a great gift, and making it is even more fun. Carson City Pottery is holding an open house today; a gift certificate for a pottery class is perfect for all skill levels.

SATURDAY:

Holiday crafts that celebrate the Nevada pine trees are on the agenda for the December program “Pines are Fine” at the Nevada State Museum, Carson City from 10 a.m. to 3.pm. Saturday, Dec. 12. No reservations are needed and guests of all ages are welcome.

Mallards Restaurant and Bar at Empire Ranch Golf Course Presents Monday Night Football. Enjoy kickoff at 5:30pm on one of the ten televisions. Every week features a different Buffet menu that includes soup, salad bar, and dessert for only $10. Drink specials are available during the game. Join in the football pool for prizes including a 2016 Annual golf pass to be given away at the end of the season.

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City. The temperatures will be brisk, but nothing a scarf and sweater can’t help guard against. The real cold shows up late Sunday and brings with it a good chance for snow. Mary Poppins would advise we bear it with a spoon full of sugar.

The historic trains of the Nevada State Railroad Museum meet up with an old-fashioned pumpkin patch, artists and crafters that include Carson City Confections and Great Basin Woodcrafts and more this Saturday and Sunday at the Harvest Train Festival in Carson City. Trains run throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ready for the weekend, Carson City? Don’t miss out on the annual Pumpkin Patch at Seeliger Elementary. This event featuring crafts, games, and music is always fun. Learn about the Basque Culture at the Nevada State Museum. This month’s Family Fun Saturday features presentations and activities. Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans are hosting a free Legal Aid Fair in the Sierra Room of the Community Center for those of you with questions about civil, non-criminal, matters.

SATURDAY:

• Seniors Swim Free at Paradise Salon and Spa: Executive Pointe off College Pkwy (7am-5pm, except during class times; 55 and older; indoor adult warm saltwater pools)
• TMDTC Dog Agility Trials at Fuji Park (7am-7pm)
• HOSA: Future Health Professionals Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at Applebee’s (8am-10am; $10, includes: pancakes, breakfast potatoes, bacon, and juice/coffee)
• Bikes for Badges to benefit the family of Deputy Sheriff Carl Howell begins at the Carson City Sheriff’s Department: 911 E Musser St. (8am-10am Same day Registration of cyclists $25; 10am-11am Ride Prep and Safety Briefing; 10:45am kick stands up and head to Chester’s Harley Davidson Reno; 12pm Music, lunch, entertainment, auctions, etc.)

Hello, Carson City. I'm suffering from an internet outage and want to make sure I get this information to you. I truly apologize that it is without my usual links or banter, but my little tablet can only do so much. As always, there is a great time to be had in Carson City, so please take a look at my list, grab your friends and family, and enjoy our great valley!

SATURDAY:

Basque language, food, music and play for the whole family are all part of a very special event at the Nevada State Museum, Carson City from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10.

The monthly Family Fun Saturdays series gets kids involved in many aspects of the museum, from Nevada history to cultural and nature studies. October’s event features Xabier Irujo, co-director at the Center for Basque Studies at UNR, his five young children and several special guests who will entertain and share culture and heritage.

Gather ye pumpkins while ye may, Saturday, Oct. 10 at the 23rd Annual Seeliger Pumpkin Patch.
Seeliger Elementary in Carson City will once again feature crafters, bounce houses, deluxe locally-grown pumpkins, music, food, gift baskets, raffles, a cake walk and lots of games! The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Seeliger Elementary, 2800 S. Saliman Rd.
Come for the best pumpkins in town and stay for a day of family fun!

This last weekend of August is filled with ways to celebrate your community. Carson Animal Shelter Initiative, better known as CASI, hosts their annual Bark, Whine, and Dine Fundraiser at Fuji Park. Animal lovers can also head to Carson Catalina Apartments for a rummage sale that benefits the Carson Tahoe SPCA. The Carson City Sheriff's Office young Explorers will host a fundraising car wash; The Marine Corp League can be found at the north Carson Walmart; half of the donations received will go to Deputy Howell’s family fund. And don’t miss out on the drought-friendly water balloon ice bucket challenge raising funds for ALS at Butler Meats on Sunday.

SATURDAY:

• Car Wash fundraiser for Carson City Sheriff’s Office Explorers at Unique Sounds: 3080 Hwy 50 East (10am-2pm)
• Virginia City Ferrari Hill Climb
• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• Rummage Sale fundraiser for Carson Tahoe SPCA at Carson Catalina Apartments: 700 Hot Springs Rd. (7am-ish until?)
• Annual Outreach and Fundraiser by the Marine Corps League of Carson City Silver State- Detachment 630 at the Walmart store on Retail Drive (8am-5pm; half of the donations go to the family of fallen Carson City Sheriff’s Office Deputy and former U.S. Marine Carl Howell)

Hold on to your hats, Carson City, summer isn’t ready to quit us just yet. An aviation air show at the Minden Airport, the coin show and fair at the Nevada State Museum, and a fishing derby for the kids at Little Washoe Lake are only the tip of the iceberg. The Pavilion at Mills Park is where you’ll find the annual Carson High Football Boosters Fundraising BBQ. The Quicksilver Dog Agility Trials are always fun to watch, and they’ll be at Fuji Park all weekend. Carson Lanes has family fun indoors and out all day long during their Bowling Blast-off.