Free Lunch

The weekend is inching closer, and bringing with it one of Carson City’s favorite events – The Taste of Downtown. The annual fundraiser for the Advocates to End Domestic Violence brings everyone downtown for samplings from our local restaurants, live music, and a good time had by all. Stay busy and the week will just fly by.

It is going to be a beautiful Tuesday: toasty, but not too hot, and with a nice afternoon breeze. As the summer goes along, kids get a little antsy. Take your grade schooler up to Silver City for their annual Bike Safety Rodeo and you’ll leave confident that they know the rules of the road. Hit the dance floor tonight. You can learn some beginning swing dance moves at El Charro Avita. Grab your partner and head to Carson Lanes for lessons in country line dancing and a good time with DJ Cowboy Bobby Truesdale.

TUESDAY:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Monday has returned. Don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of things all week long to keep you occupied until the weekend returns. The Carson City Library continues its Summer Learning Program with a fun presentation on the butterflies and other bugs you can find in Nevada. Its family day at Carson Lanes, which means bowling is just one dollar per person per game all day long. Warm up those vocal chords for karaoke at the Fox Brewpub: Manic Monday by the Bangles or Monday, Monday by the Mama and the Papas might make for a good song choice.

I hope your dancing shoes are handy because the music will have you on your feet. Local favorites, Jelly Bread, take the stage at McFadden Plaza as part of the Fridays at the Fox series. Start the weekend with some belly laughs: either with Kevin Farley at the Brewery Arts Center or with Mrs. John Hughes at the Carson Nugget. Break a leg to our talented friends and neighbors participating in this year’s Senior Follies. ‘As Seen On TV’ marks the twentieth year the variety show has showcase local talent.

FRIDAY:

The sun keeps shining and the summer fun keeps on coming. Great live music tonight can be found on the Veranda at Adele’s, at Living the Good Life, on the stage at Sassafras, in the Glen Eagles Lounge, and at Battle Born Harley Davidson's Bike Night. The Carson Library starts the day with story time for the little ones, and ends with an exciting science presentation featuring Fire and Ice. Learn a little about Nevada with photographer Ernie Winters at the Gold Hill Hotel. He’ll take you back in time with color photographs of Virginia City in the 50s.

Are you ready for one of the best Wednesdays of the year? The annual Concert Under the Stars just gets bigger and better every year. Food trucks, a silent auction, an exciting live auction, and of course, some amazing music – this year, the Family Stone will be rocking the Brewery Arts Center Minnesota Street Stage. For some quieter entertainment, Doug Watson appears as ‘Will Rogers’ at Dangberg Home Historic Ranch. Take the kids to Galaxy Theaters tonight and introduce them to a timeless favorite, The Sandlot.

It was pointed out to me that this is a week full of palindromes – a bit of fun word play with something that is the same forward and backwards. July 11, __17 is also 7.11.17, tomorrow 7 12 17, and so on. Coincidentally today, 7/11, is also free slurpee day at your neighborhood 7-Eleven. A full moon and a performance by the Mile High Jazz Band in the Comma Coffee Courtyard. Living the Good Life goes acoustic with singer/songwriter Canyon White.
TUESDAY:

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Granted, some of us were without power for a little while, but with all the fun stuff going on, I hope you weren’t home to experience it. We’ve got one hot week coming up, so keep the water and sunscreen handy. Fox Brewpub wants to see you tonight for their weekly karaoke night, and tomorrow they are adding DJ Trivia to their line-up.

Whether you are looking for a night on the town with friends or something for the whole family, Carson City has got you covered. The Friday night concerts in the McFadden Plaza will get everyone movin' and groovin' - especially when a band like Mojo Green hits the stage. Kids will love the Dive-in Movie night at the Carson Aquatic Center. Moana will be playing on their big, new LED screen. The Trippin' King Snakes kick off the Summer Concert Series at Living the Good Life, followed by a DJ into the wee hours of the morning. Keep reading and prepare to have a great day.

And just like that, it’s almost the weekend. Karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar takes over their patio- a perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and sing a little song. Enjoy live music, a good drink and yummy food at Living the Good Life. Show off your chrome at the Silver Dollar Cruise Night – this week you meet up at the Courtyard by Marriot next to the Casino Fandango. If you love your chopper, then Bike Night at Battle Born Harley Davidson is your best bet to get the party started.

THURSDAY:

Happy Wednesday, Carson City. The long holiday weekend is over, but you can keep the good times rolling. The Fox Brewpub is hosting their monthly Whiskey Wednesday tonight, complete with raffle prizes and of course, whiskey. The Classic Cinema Club pushed back their monthly movie viewing by a day, so head over to the BAC Performance Hall to watch ‘Three Came Home.’ Keep Tahoe Blue will be starting the day at numerous beaches; their annual clean-up is necessary after the fireworks.

‘We hold these truths to be self-evident…’ With those few powerful words, the Declaration of Independence set a few east coast colonies on a path to becoming ‘the land of the free, and the home of the brave.’ Less than 100 years later, the great ‘Battle Born’ state of Nevada would join the fold. Let us celebrate our great country today with family, friends, and neighbors. You’ll find fireworks displays in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and both the North and South shores of Lake Tahoe.

It may just be the third of July, but our country’s birthday celebrations have already started. You’ll find the annual RSVP Carnival at Mills Park with games, rides, cotton candy, and hours of skateboarding feats of daring-do. It’s an old-fashioned Fourth of July Party at the Senior Center in Dayton, complete with a show-n-shine and yummy bar-be-que. Head up to Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe for the early-bird fireworks show and beach bash.

The first half of 2017 has slipped away, and the next half is bringing a boatload of fun. Hit the town tonight. You'll find comedian Justin Rivera at the Brewery Arts Center for an all-ages show. Everyone is invited to the open mic at A to Zen hosted by award-winning singer/songwriter Canyon White. The party never stops at Living the Good Life: they'll start with Carolyn Dolan and Peter Supersano on the stage and then let Soul Connection take it into late night. Have a great day, a great weekend, and a great rest of the year.

FRIDAY:

Sunny days are here again, and Carson City gives you plenty of ways to enjoy it. It’s the boys in blue versus the fire fighters in today’s Battle of the Badge Blood Drive. Bikers won’t want to miss the weekly party at Battle Born Harley with house band, the Smoken Rabbits; all vehicles are welcome to join in the fun and get some grub from the Rollin Pizza Pie food truck. The whole family will enjoy tonight’s Twilight Concert with the Sextones at the Dangberg Home Historic Ranch. Learn about Virginia City ghosts with authors Sandie LaNae and Arlene Laferry at the haunted Gold Hill Hotel.

As the summer continues, the kids can get restless. Beat the heat indoors with bowling specials at Gold Dust West and Carson Lanes. BMX racing is fun for all ages, and you can check it out for yourself at the weekly practice night at the Livermore Sports Complex on Edmonds. Grab your smartest friends for DJ Trivia at the Westside Pour House, just get there early if you want to order dinner, too. Hosts John and Cherie Shipley invite you to the jazz jam at Living the Good Life; you never know who’ll join them on stage.

WEDNESDAY:

It’s Tuesday, and that means it’s time to explore another one of Carson City’s great walking trails with Parks and Recreation. The Ambrose Carson River nature area in on the list for today, so grab some water and sunscreen and enjoy the fresh air. Learn about CASA, and what they do for the children of our valley, during an informal meet-and-greet at San Rafael Coffee. It’s all hands on deck for the Deputy Howell Memorial Music Festival; a meeting for the volunteers is tonight at Battle Born Harley Davidson. Grab your cowboy boots and head out to Carson Lanes for line dance lessons.

I suspect this last week of June will just fly by. Before you know it, you’ll see the annual Fourth of July Carnival setting up in Mills Park. Make plans now for the monthly downtown Wine Walk on Saturday; it’s always a fun time. Don’t think you’ve got to wait for the weekend for some fun, though. You’ll find live music, karaoke, art, and dancing most every day, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take a break from the work week.

MONDAY:

Please remember that I am just the messenger and the bad news is that you can only be one place at once. You'll have to choose between a Beatles Experience in McFadden Plaza and the concert at the Brewery Arts Center Minnesota Street Stage, where the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies kick off the first of the Levitt Concert Summer Series. Get yourself registered for the Karson Kruzerz' annual 'Run Whatcha Brung' at the Max Casino and stick around for Route 66 on the stage. You'll have to keep reading for the rest of it - summer fun has arrived in full force.

FRIDAY:

The weekends seem to start earlier in summertime. Head down to Mills Park for the first of the rat-rods rolling in for this weekend’s Rockabilly Riot and to catch the motorcycle cops running some practice loops around the obstacle course. Seniors can head to the Community Center for vouchers good at the Third and Curry Farmers Market, residency and income restrictions apply. Join Mo’z Motley Blues on the lawn of the Dangberg Home Historic Ranch for a summer twilight concert – bring a chair or blanket, I suggest some bug spray and a picnic, as well.

THURSDAY:

Happy Wednesday, Carson City. The Wild West is still alive and well; the Reno Rodeo and Carnival is going on right now. Snowshoe Thompson comes to life at the Dangberg Home Historic Ranch as Steven Hale performs a Chautauqua tonight. Head over to the Carson Mall for their Home and Garden Show. The Greenhouse Garden Center has set up lovely displays and will help you find just the right thing to make your yard a little slice of heaven. Tonight you can choose a jazz jam, karaoke, or trivia to get you over the mid-week hump.

WEDNESDAY:

I love the summer solstice - longest day of sunshine all year. Celebrate the first day of summer with a hike up to our waterfalls; the guided Muscle Powered hike this evening will show you the way. Load up the kids and take a short drive to Silver City; all summer they offer educational fun stuff like today's 'mining for chocolate' activity. It's a night of 1000 Dad Jokes at the Brewery Arts Center where funny and punny run smack-dab into silly - laughter is the best family activity.

• TUESDAY: Summer Solstice

What a weekend. With the Stewart Pow Wow and the Carson City Off-Road, the town was packed with visitors and locals enjoying our city. Next weekend comes jam-packed with everything vehicular.

Have you ever wished you could clone yourself? If you haven’t, then these next few weekends will make you consider it: there are just too many options to choose from. Whether you prefer indoors, outdoors, adults-only, or family friendly, there is something to enjoy. The Stewart Fathers’ Day Pow Wow and the Carson City Off-Road are the big tickets in town this weekend, complete with some downtown road closures. Take a look at the whole list and you’ll find something that suits your mood perfectly, and is possibly just around the corner.

FRIDAY:

Can you feel the excitement in the air?

The Pony Express rides again. Actually, the re-ride is an annual occurrence, and always comes right through the heart of Carson City. See the mochila hand-off at the corner of Second and Curry Streets today around 12:30 p.m. (but can be up to three hours early or late) and you can follow its historic route online HERE. The Nevada National Guard celebrates Flag Day and the Army’s anniversary on the Capitol Grounds at 10:00 a.m.

The thermometer will inch up some today; still not ‘day at the beach’ warm, but better than yesterday. Sierra Nevada Forums brings you some good information about the pitfalls and dark side of social media: join in the conversation at the Brewery Arts Center. The monthly Mile High Jazz Band show moves from Comma Coffee to the stage in McFadden Plaza, so it’s a free poetry and jazz show for all. Take a tour of the Stewart Indian School as part of today’s Parks and Rec Easy Walk. The historic site will be bustling with the annual Father’s Day Pow Wow come Friday.

TUESDAY:

I don’t know what to tell you, Carson City, the weather seems to be suffering from confusion. The second week of June shouldn’t be starting out this wet and chilly. My only consolation is that the weather app on my phone promises rising temperatures later this week. Take the kids to Carson Lanes today: it’s indoors and they’ve got one dollar game and shoe rental specials all day long. Tonight, Sassafras is proud to bring you the Hottman Sisters, a sister-led band from Omaha, Nebraska, centered around tight harmonies.

Beware, or you'll suffer from fun stuff overload. The State Fair and Rendezvous continues at Mills Park, and now you can head into the Pavilion and get your car or bike registered for the Show and Shine. Shiny cars are also welcome at the Carson Cruise - Meet and Greet's Summer Cruise Night: start out at Bully's Sports Bar and you'll convoy down to McFadden Plaza for the Fridays at the Fox Concert Series Kick-off. Shane Dwight takes the stage to get weekend off to a great start.

Holy moly, what a way to start the weekend. The Nevada State Fair kicks off today in Carson City’s Mills Park and so does the Annual Carson Valley Days celebration in Douglas County. No matter where you are, there is a carnival nearby. You’ll find some fun in downtown Carson tonight with karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar or at the Westside Pour House. Kick start your bike and head to Battle Born Harley; their Bike Night features live music by the Smoken Rabbits. Keep a sweater handy, the temperature is dipping a little, and will drop even further as soon as the sun goes down.