HWY 395

Holy smokes, it’s the last day of September! We’ve enjoyed a summer and now it’s time to embrace the pumpkin, scarves, and all things autumn. Enjoy the nice evenings while we have them with an outdoor concert at Living the Good Life or a presentation on the night sky at Washoe Lake State Park. Sassafras is the place for some bluesy Americana with Muddy Boots and the Porch Pounders. Help cheer on our new Wildcats Soccer Team as they take on UC Davis and shout GO BIG BLUE as the CHS Varsity team battles Galena at tonight’s Homecoming football game. Keep reading for all of our local happenings.

Wine walk weekend is almost upon us, along with the infamous Virginia City Outhouse Races. Start your day at Dutch Bros. Coffee and one dollar from every drink will find its way to the Boys and Girls Club. Today is the last day to view the Capital City Arts Initiative exhibit, ‘New Crop 2016’ on the second floor of the Courthouse, so head over there before it’s gone. Check out some new art at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint: Kim VanZyll and Her Zentangle Protégés will be there for an opening reception.

Happy Tuesday, Carson City. Parks and Rec’s Easy Walk is a special trip to Spooner Lake where you’ll get to enjoy the crisp autumn morning in a beautiful setting. Listen to the voices of the past as members of the Washoe Tribe recount stories of their people in their native tongue at the Carson Valley Cultural Center and Museum in Minden. J's Bistro in Dayton hosts a spaghetti feed fundraiser for the Remote Area Medical program. A special lecture on the Sutro Tunnel takes place in Virginia City this evening.

Whoa doggy, what a weekend. Dayton Valley Days, the Steampunk Ball and Parade in Virginia City, and the Western Heritage Festival at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether it’s in Carson City, or just over the hill in one of our neighboring counties, you’ll find something fun to do. Read on.

SATURDAY:

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City. Happenings, going-ons, and to-dos can be found all over. Early birds catch the Great Reno Balloon Race, while night owls can enjoy karaoke and live music. Kids won’t want to miss out on the Young Eagle flights at the Carson Airport, just make sure to get there on time. Learn about Roswell at the WNC Observatory or meet Author Sandie LaNae at Artsy Fartsy. Our valley offers something for everyone, keep reading and see.

SATURDAY:

Camels and Hot Air Balloons are right around the corner, but first enjoy Thursday in Carson City. Some live music with In Stride at Comma Coffee is a relaxing way to spend a lunch hour. Hick’ry Switch makes dinner on the veranda at Adele’s even more enjoyable. Let Tom Miller entertain you at Living the Good Life. Kids will have fun at the Carson Mall making scarecrows or at the Carson Library building things with Legos. Take a moment to swing by the Nevada Artist Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center; their Photography Show ends Friday. Keep reading for all of your options.

There are multiple ways to say farewell to summer this weekend. The Best in the West Rib Cook-off is a local favorite, as is the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival. It has finally cooled down a little, so the Downtown Carson Wine Walk is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Keep reading and have a great time.

SATURDAY:

Grab your cape, mask, and special side-kick and head to Tumbleweeds Gymnastics in Minden for their Superhero 5/10K. Hunt for underwater treasure at Sand Harbor with the High Desert Divers, all divers and snorkelers are invited. The Ferrari Hill Climb continues today in Virginia City if you feel the need for speed. Galaxy Theater brings another movie classic to the big screen today. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘The King and I’ 60th Anniversary Event plays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

SUNDAY:

The kids deserve some fun for surviving their first week back at school, and Carson City delivers. The first annual Northern Nevada Family Fun Day takes over Mills Park with music, a kids zone, activities, food, raffles, and much more. Check out the Bowling Blast Off at Carson Lanes for a Car Show, bowling specials, and fun. Once the sun sets, Washoe Lake State Park offers a basic astronomy lesson and some celestial viewing. Keep reading: there’s something for everyone this weekend.

SATURDAY:

It’s a ducky day to be a dog. The Nevada Humane Society’s annual Duck Race and Festival in downtown Reno raises funds for our area shelters and gives one lucky duck the chance to win a car. Splash Dogs at Heritage Park in Gardnerville has one last day of competitions for some talented pooches. Bring your favorite four-legged friend to DAWG Days at Mona Lisa and Wine for a special painting class. The rest of Sunday’s options are below.

SUNDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival Final Day

Are you ready for the new school year? One last weekend of summer break before the kids of Carson City head back, so make the most of it. Jazz and Beyond takes it up a notch in its final few days with eight hours of non-stop music downtown. Western Nevada College new soccer team plays its first home game today against Folsom Lake Community College. Head to Carson High for the inaugural ‘A Place to Shine’ Show and Shine for fun for the whole family. Keep reading, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Happy Tuesday, Carson City. The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West has returned and will be at the Community Center tonight, if you were quick enough to grab free tickets from the Chamber of Commerce. Join the ladies of Muscle Powered for a mountain bike ride through beautiful Ash Canyon. Hear the stories and legends of the Washoe People in their native language with translations into English at the Carson Valley Cultural Center. Continue on for even more to do.

Holy busy day, Batman! Carson City is abuzz with options. Art lovers won’t want to miss out on the Diversity Invitational Photography Show opening tonight at Mystique downtown. Learn about the history of Jazz with a free presentation by John Shipley in the Brewery Arts Center’s Performance Hall. Take the kids to the Carson Library for movie night: The Sandlot is fun for all. Sierra Surgery welcomes you to the grand opening of the new Carson Tahoe Breast Center. And the list goes on: keep reading for all of Thursday’s things to do.

THURSDAY:

Are you ready for the weekend? The weekend is sure ready for you with the monthly Downtown Wine Walk, the final Levitt Amp Concert the Brewery Arts Center, and the Wild West Rodeo at Fuji Park. Live music galore, classic cars, theater, dancing and so much more await. Continue on for the low down.

SATURDAY:

• Hot August Nights
• Annual Rummage Sale at Saint Gall’s Catholic Church: 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville (7am-3pm)

The Salvation Army is collecting backpacks and school supplies for disadvantaged children through August 17. Children from Carson City, Douglas County and Lyon County will receive backpacks and school supplies as needed. The Salvation Army will have a distribution of the back packs and a large portion of the back packs collected will be given directly to the School Districts for distribution to children in transition.

Sunday is the last chance for celebrity sightings at Edgewood Golf Resort in at south shore Lake Tahoe as the American Century Celebrity Championship tournament comes to a close. Learn about the legacy of Douglas County’s Dangberg family from the rancher’s grandson, author Steve Archard. Locals enjoy a special price on the Virginia and Truckee steam train, or the McKeen Motor car at the Nevada Railroad Museum.

SUNDAY:

I really hope I’m not required to choose a favorite event. I would be hard pressed to choose between the Nevada Day Parade and the annual Taste of Downtown. Luckily, I can adore them both, and for much the same reason. They are a celebration of community, of Carson City, of our historic downtown and all that it has to offer. In addition to 'The Taste', the Brewery Arts Center goes country with the Southern Drawl Band on its outdoor stage, and Madam Curry leads another downtown Ghost Walk. Continue reading for all that our valley has to offer.

SATURDAY:

Help Gina celebrate the second anniversary of Living the Good Life with CV-41 on the outdoor stage. The Carson Nugget does date night with comedy and the Cash Only Band. Grab a guitar and join in Comma Coffee’s fourth Friday Jam Session. Enjoy opening night of ‘The Red Velvet Cake War’ at the CVIC Hall in Minden; break a leg, Carson Valley Community Theater. Continue reading for all of Friday’s happenings.

FRIDAY:

• American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament at Edgewood, South Lake Tahoe (gates open 7am-2pm, play begins 8am; $30)

I'm chomping at the bit for Saturday: the Taste of Downtown is almost here. It is one of my absolute favorite events, and one of the most delicious. Grab your tickets at Classy Seconds Thrift Store or the Purple Avocado. A jazz jam with Tom Stryker at Living the Good Life is a great way to soothe the soul.

I am quite fond of Tuesdays. For a weekday, they usually have some great offerings. Today's Easy Walk with the Parks and Recreation Department takes you along the Moffat Open Space on the east side of town. The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada offers 'Books and Brags', essentially a story with craft time. Have a hot time with the fire-dancers of Controlled Burn: they meet at A to Zen on Tuesdays and welcome newcomers.

TUESDAY:

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City. The Senior Follies have taken over the Community Center’s Bob Boldrick Theater. Kids won’t want to miss the Capitol City Triathlon: swim, bike, and run your way to the winner’s circle. Celebrate community at the second annual Sassabration and don't forget your bathing suit: the Carson Hot Springs will be free from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Find a feline friend at the Nevada Humane Society’s free adoption weekend. Keep reading for everything our valley has to offer.

SATURDAY:

The weekend is moments away, Carson City. While you’re waiting, enjoy an outdoor concert with local favorite, Stereo Galaxy, at Living the Good Life. Head out to Whiskey Tavern if you’re a karaoke lover. See what your favorite board games look like life sized at the Carson City Library. Take the kids to the 5 Clover Ranch for S’mores and more. Learn about the people and dogs that keep this area safe from bears at Mormon Station in Genoa. Keep reading, there are so many ways to enjoy today!

FRIDAY:

If you hear some great music downtown, then you’re probably near Café at Adele’s. Tower of Power hits the stage for the annual Concert Under the Stars to benefit the Greenhouse Project. Grab some grub for a good cause at Buffalo Wild Wings: LBL Equine Rescue is holding a fundraiser. Take an easy ride with Muscle Powered; tonight’s ride is perfect for beginners. If you’ve got kids, Frozen is tonight’s choice for the Carson Library movie night. Classic car aficionados should head to Bully’s if they want to join in this week’s Silver Dollar Cruise Night.

THURSDAY:

Building on its operatic 11th Anniversary BOPS Celebration series from July, TOCCATA-Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will continue its 21-concert Summer MusicFest with a new series entitled Mozart in the Mountains, including an Aug. 10 performance in Carson City.

We made it, Carson City. Friday has arrived and the weekend is moments away. The annual Chili Cook-off at Glen Eagles, the last few performances of Aladdin, Jr., and the all new Polynesian Festival are just about here. Tonight you’ll want to enjoy CV-41 at Living the Good Life: just the first of their outdoor summer shows. Local legend, Unkle Funkle, is hitting the stage at the Carson Nugget. Get your reggae fix at the Westside Pour House when Whiskey Lung starts jamming. Join Mike Thompson at the Plaza Hotel: the Roswell Incident is the subject of tonight’s lecture.

The Marina Fire burning north of Lee Vining and west of Highway 395 has consumed more than 600 acres as of Saturday morning and is 5 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Highway 395 remains closed near the fire area as of early this afternoon.

UPDATE 9:10PM: The Marina Fire burning north of Lee Vining in Mono County, Calif., has grown to 600 acres as of Friday night, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Tioga Lodge and two additional residences have been evacuated. Lee Vining is under an evacuation advisory. There are approximately 300 personnel on the fire. Highway 395 in the area remains closed.
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UPDATE 2:11PM: The wildfire burning north of Lee Vining in Mono County, Calif., closing Highway 395 is now estimated to be 350 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Tioga Lodge has been evacuated and Lee Vining is under an evacuation advisory. Several powerlines have been de-energized for firefighter safety. Highway 395 remains closed.

Whether you celebrate taco Tuesday, Tahoe Tuesday, or just any day that the sun is shining, enjoy. Dayton kids are in for a treat at the Dayton Library with at reading of 'The Tortoise and the Hare.' The Reno Rodeo is still around, so hit up their carnival and watch the cowboys do their thing. If you can't make it to Reno, Country Line Dance at Carson Lanes will let you get a taste of what you're missing. Tonight, enjoy singer-songwriter Canyon White at Living the Good Life. However you spend today, have a great one, Carson City.

TUESDAY:

Let’s go to the Fair, Carson City. Mills Park is hopping with activity: a carnival, car show, exhibits, music, and a return of the Rendezvous. If you have kids, don’t miss this month’s Young Eagle Flights at the Carson Airport, just make sure to sign up by 8 a.m. Start your day at the Third and Curry Farmers Market, and don’t forget to make your artistic mark on a handcrafted bowl for the Empty Bowls event. Read on for all of your weekend options.

SATURDAY:

Thursday is something to celebrate. The long-awaited Nevada State Fair kicks off in Mills Park with a ribbon cutting by Governor Sandoval. Grab the kids, your friends, and family and enjoy carnival rides, county exhibits, civil war reenactments and much more. Our neighbors to the south are celebrating, too: the 106th Annual Carson Valley Days is this weekend. If you’re looking for something quieter, the lecture on the Civil War at the Gold Hill Hotel or an author’s talk on the Ghost Railroads of Central Nevada at the Nevada State Railroad Museum might be a better bet.