Firkin and Fox

The first harbinger of spring arrived over the weekend, Daylight Saving Time. That’s bound to make this Monday a little sleepier than usual, but there’s good news: it’s National Napping Day! Take back that hour you lost with a cozy catnap, a midday siesta, or a quick snooze and you’ll be bright-eyed in time to watch the sunset at seven.

If you’d like to catch Congressman Amodei at the Chamber of Commerce’s Soup’s On luncheon this week, make sure and RSVP today. This is sure to sell out, as everyone wants to know how the local boy is holding up in Washington.

We have almost made it to the weekend. Let visions of the Downtown Wine Walk, CASI’s Woof, Wine, and Whiskers, and the kick-off of Carson Comedy at the Carson Nugget keep you buoyant until then. Just don’t be in such a hurry to enjoy the weekend that you miss out on what Thursday in Carson City can offer.

Yes. You are looking at a bunny with a pancake on its head, but I can explain. Today is National Pancake Day, so head over to the International House of Pancakes for your free short stack and donate to this year’s charity, the Children’s Miracle Network. It is also National ‘I Want You to Be Happy Day.’ Pancake Day and trying to share a smile, ergo silly picture of a bunny with a pancake on its head. Find your own way to share some happiness today.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

It’s never too cold, too wet or too hot
To pick up a book, and share what you’ve got
You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild
To pick up a book, and read to a child...
― Anita Merina, 1997

Once upon a time in Nevada, a Reno tailor named Jacob Davis wrote a letter to Levi Strauss about his pocket rivets, and thus the blue jean was born. Coincidentally, today is Strauss’ birthday. Once upon a time in Nevada, Buffalo Bill Cody was just a kid riding for the Pony Express. It’s his birthday, too. Fun fact: Cuba Crutchfield, a trick-rope cowboy with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, is buried in Carson City’s Lone Mountain Cemetery. Once upon a time in Nevada, a man was shot in Reno.

Grab your dance shoes and kick up your heels at a beginning swing dance lesson at El Charro’s tonight. The High Sierra Swing Dance Club hosts its monthly Swing Dance Party in the Ballroom of the Brewery Arts Center Saturday night. If you prefer to dance in cowboy boots, you can learn Country Line and Partner Dancing at the 11th Frame Lounge in Carson Lanes every Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Just another Monday in the Capital City. The Legislative Gallery has a new offering: Natural Memorial Realist by artist Max Bunnell of Overton. The gallery rotates every two weeks. The CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse features Nevada Watersheds by Nolan Preece, and the Nevada Artists Association is hosting their Winter Art Show at the Brewery Arts Center.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year; welcome to the year of yang, which could be a goat, a sheep, or a ram, depending on the translation. Time to reunite with family and loved ones and celebrate spring. New York City got in on the festivities with its first ever fireworks display for the Lunar New Year; I've included a YouTube video, just in case fireworks really are lucky.

The Pizza Factory on Hwy 50 East is holding a fundraiser for Eagle Valley Middle School today. 20% of the day’s proceeds will benefit their Parent Teacher Organization.

It's Random Act of Kindness Day. I think the inventor of the smiley said it best.

"The catch phrase for the day is 'Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.'"
Harvey Ball

Have a great day, Carson City. Do something nice for no reason.

TUESDAY: Fat Tuesday – Mardi Gras:

• Catholic Charities Day at the Legislature

Rounding out the three-day weekend, happy President's Day. Here's what's going on in and around Carson City today, Feb. 16, 2015:

• Animal Protection Day at the Legislature
• ’Pine Spirit’ by basket maker Sande Rowan at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building
• Opening Day of the Winter Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)

Where to start? This weekend is chock-full of options. The local 4-H club is hosting their annual Fabric and Rummage Sale at Fuji Park. The Annual Feast of Chocolate, hosted by AAUW, is Saturday afternoon at the Plaza Event Center. The Vagina Monologues and One Billion Rising are both raising awareness this V-Day weekend for women’s issues.

First things first. Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, so I’m reminding you to make reservations for your favorite restaurant if you haven’t already. Check out the Carson Mall’s Craft Fair and Gift Sale or any of Carson City’s great shops like Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, Evergreen Gene’s, Morley’s Books, the Artisan Store at the Brewery Arts Center or Purple Avocado for something special for that special someone.

Don’t miss the Mile High Jazz Band at their monthly appearance at Comma Coffee tonight, make sure to bring your sweetheart. Today at the Legislature, they will be celebrating Nevada Tribes. A cultural presentation is in Room 3100 if you want to learn more about the Native people of the Great Basin.

TUESDAY:

• Nevada Tribes Day at the Legislature; Cultural Presentation and Information in Room 3100 (10:30am-1:30pm)
• Roseman University of Health Sciences Health Fair in the front foyer of the Legislature (8am-3pm)

Monday is upon us and it’s drizzly. You could stay indoors and celebrate National Clean Out Your Computer Day, but there are a few reasons to put your umbrella to work. CW and Mr. Spoons will get your toes tapping at Comma Coffee at lunchtime. It’s the last week to catch the New Year’s Show at the NAA Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center. High Sierra Swing Dance Club will be dancing the night away at El Charro’s for their weekly Club Night Out.

It’s Carmen Miranda’s birthday, so I've included a YouTube video to bring a little Havana sunshine to this grey Nevada day.

Today kicks off the second annual International Film Weekend in Carson City. The main event is this evening in the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Community Center, a free showing of “Boy.” “Boy” is about a youth coming of age in the Maori culture in New Zealand in 1984.

This may be ‘the day that music died’ back in 1959, but Carson City wants you to find your dancing shoes tonight. Beginning swing dance lessons will be held at El Charro Avitas; go check out their brand new dance floor. Country Line dancing is taught at the 11th Frame lounge at Carson Lanes every Tuesday and Wednesday. Jimmy Mallett and Jack Clifton will be at Living the Good Life Nightclub and Bistro channeling all the swank of the rat pack.

A flurry has blown into town: not of the snow kind that we so sorely need, but one of Legislative activity. The 2015 Legislative season starts today, so please keep an eye out for increased activity in our downtown crosswalks.

The weekend is almost here, and everyone is gearing up for the big game. Time to hit the grocery store and stock up on chips and dips and chicken wings! If you don’t want to do the cooking yourself, there will be plenty of places around town to load up on grub and cheer on your team.

Thanks to Muscle Powered and the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department, Tuesdays are a good day to go for walk and explore some great trails and paths around town. You can find the schedule online here, and I always include them in my list.

It’s a Jazz Extravaganza tonight as the Mile High Jazz Band teams up with Carson High School’s Jazz Band at the Community Center.

Hello there, Carson City. Monday is upon us again. That means toe-tapping lunchtime music at Comma Coffee with CW and Mr. Spoons. The soccer season is approaching, and you can sign-up for AYSO at the Carson City Library tonight from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. If you need to let off some steam tonight, head to the Firkin and Fox for karaoke.

MONDAY:

• New Year’s Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)

Carson City has some great lectures going on today. Sierra Nevada Forums is presenting ‘Lions and Tracking and Bears, OH MY’ about the incredible animals in our foothills. ‘A Short History of Virginia City’ is to be found at the Nevada State Museum, followed by a book signing by Authors Ron and Susan James.

The Tuesday after a day off can feel like a Monday, but it does make the week go by quickly. It’s back to school for those attending Western Nevada College, and maybe back to work for some of those who attend the Greater Nevada Credit Union’s Job Fair today.

This Thursday is both National Strawberry Ice Cream Day and National Hat Day. You may want some ice cream for your vocal cords after you hit the Karaoke circuit; Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar, Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge, and the Feisty Goat Pub all want to see you wearing your performing hat tonight. On a more local level, today also brings the annual State of the State address delivered by our Governor, Brian Sandoval.

THURSDAY:

It’s National Rubber Ducky Day! I have no idea how that is relevant to anything, but now I've got the ‘Rubber Ducky’ song from Sesame Street in my head. It’s also Stephen Foster Memorial Day, so feel free to sing ‘Camptown Races’, one of the prolific song-writer’s most famous songs, instead. Keep the musical theme going today with the Carson Feet Warmers during lunch and the Mile High Jazz Band playing this evening, both at Comma Coffee.

This second Monday of January is also National Clean Off Your Desk Day. Start the workweek with a clean sweep and then clear your mind with the Dharma Zephyr Sangah Sitting Group. The ice rink is still in full swing, so make sure to visit before the end of the season.

MONDAY:

If you were waiting for the sun to come out tomorrow, your wait is over. It is Friday and Annie, Jr. hits the stage tonight. Grab dinner at the Firkin and Fox and help celebrate their anniversary, or get your boogie on at 70s night at the Arlington Skating Rink. If blues or jazz are more your style, catch Boon Doggle at Bella Fiore, then head to the Black Box theater in the Brewery Art Center for a Jazz Jam.

FRIDAY:

• Curbside Christmas Tree Recycling: cut them if over six feet; put it out on your regular trash day

Head down to the Friends of the Carson City Library’s book store tonight to hear author Mark S. Bacon speak about his newest book, Death in Nostalgia City.

A talk about the freeway art in Carson City by Mary Fischer, author of Carson City History in Motion is tonight, as well; sponsored by the Douglas County Historical Society, it will be held at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville. If you need to sing your heart out, check out karaoke at the Feisty Goat Pub or at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar.

THURSDAY:

The beginning of the workweek doesn’t mean that there is nothing to do in Carson City. Lunchtime music at Comma Coffee and Karaoke at the Firkin and Fox are just two of the ways you can shake off the back to work blues.

MONDAY:

• Snow Globe Music Festival, South Lake Tahoe
• Arlington Square Ice Rink: Winter Break Schedule (Sessions 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2p.m. - 5 p.m., 6 p.m. - 9 p.m; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental)
• Live Music with CW and Mr. Spoons at Comma Coffee (11:30am-1pm; free)
• Family Day: $1 Specials at Carson Lanes

Here in Carson City, the Nevada Day Parade is a great event, rain or shine, snow, wind, or likely a combination of it all. This year, we are expecting a cold one. Have no fear, however, there will be plenty of places to grab some grub, coffee, hot chocolate, bloody marys, or shelter from the rain while you watch the balloons lift off at 8 a.m. or wait for the 10 a.m. parade.

Annual Pancake Breakfasts:

Join us for the 6th Annual Cancer Sucks 5K Saturday, Oct. 4, 8:00am, 300 S. Curry St. (behind the Firkin and Fox) in Carson City. Run, walk or crawl! Dress up, create a team and just come out and have fun. Costumes are encouraged.
Proceeds benefit the Carson Tahoe Health Foundation’s support of area cancer patients. These funds are used for patients who can't afford unexpected expenses that arise when fighting this awful disease.

When: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 9:00am