Nevada State Museum

Training for anyone interested in becoming a tour guide for the Nevada State Museum, Carson City is Sept. 15, 16, 22 and 23. Volunteers make friends and meet people from around the world as they share the story of Nevada’s history and collections. Guides should be willing to volunteer at least a few hours per month to give tours for school-aged children and adults too.

The K-12 kids have had a few weeks to get back in the swing of things. Now it’s your turn, Western Nevada College students. The new semester starts today and WNC has plenty of ways to welcome you back. Don’t miss the new exhibit in the WNC Main Gallery: Victor Sandblom’s ‘Wind on the Sea, Tracks in the Sand.’ Let off some Monday night steam with karaoke at the Firkin and Fox. Or head to El Charro Avita and party it up with the High Sierra Swing Dance Club.

MONDAY:

The end of August already: how did that happen? This summer seems to have flown by. I guess that’s what happens when you’re having fun. Those of you gearing up for Burning Man have just a few last days to prepare for the playa. And those headed to Western Nevada College have this one last weekend before it’s time to hit the books. Compared to some of my previous Friday lists, tonight is relatively quiet. Don’t worry, though, there is still fun to be had. Check out your options below.

FRIDAY:

• Dennis at Billow's Custom Embroidery & First Responders Uniforms is doing an improv fundraiser today for the family of Deputy Carl Howell. He has t-shirts and decals available to purchase from 11-4:30 today; The shop is located at 1894 East William Street Suite No. 1.
• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)

Looking for a reason to hit the town? Head over to Living the Good Life where Jimmy and Jack are sure to entertain. If you’d rather be the entertaining one, then sign up to sing at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar or at the Feisty Goat Pub: it’s Karaoke night. Get your country fix at Beercade, and learn to line dance. Learn about bats and their habitat at the monthly Francis Humphry Lecture at the Nevada State Museum. If you already know it all, Trivia Night at Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar in the Carson Nugget might be for you.

THURSDAY:

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.

The kids are finishing their first week of school, but the summer hasn’t quit just yet. The annual Jazz and Beyond Festival is heading into its final weekend, and as always, going out in style. Tonight, celebrate Count Basie’s 111th birthday with the Mile High Jazz Band downtown on Third Street. Carson Tahoe Medical Center is holding its 5th annual HopeFest concert headlined by the Young Dubliners. Carson's own, Molly Seals, will be performing, as well.

FRIDAY: Jazz and Beyond

The Adult Services staff at the Carson City Library extends a huge “THANK YOU” to the individuals and organizations who donated prizes to the Adult Summer Reading program, “Escape the Ordinary”.
Appreciation goes out to
• Carson City Visitors Bureau
• Friends of Library Browsers Corner Book Store
• Nevada Appeal
• Nevada Museum of Art
• Nevada Photo Source
• Nevada State Museum
• Nevada State Parks
• Nevada State Railroad Museum
• V & T Railroad

I love August in Carson City and it’s because of Jazz and Beyond. Music everywhere. The Tahoe Ridge Winery is hosting Jazz Van Gogh, a guitar and flute duo. You’ll enjoy some time in the evening sun at the Comma Coffee Courtyard with Brent Johnson and The Call Up listening to some bluesy roots rock. You won’t want to miss Carl Sonny Leland at the Performance Hall of the Brewery Arts Center. The boogie-woogie hall of famer will show you what fun can be had with a piano. That’s not all you’ll find going on in Carson today; check out the list for the whole scoop.

THURSDAY: Jazz and Beyond

• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E. Proctor St. (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Dealers, collectors, admirers and amateurs will find fun at the 2015 Carson City Mint Coin Show and Fair. Professionals will buy, sell and trade money and offer expertise in a lecture series during the two-day event Aug. 21-22.

The weekend has arrived and it’s bringing a plethora of activity with it. Car lovers will want to head to the Silver Dollar Car Classic at the Max Casino, known as the Carson Station just a few days ago. The Classic moves to Mills Park for the weekend. If the Mustangs and Broncos you prefer are horses, rather than Fords, you’ll want to grab a ticket to the Bull Riding Competition at the State Fair. Carnival rides, circus performances, and live music will keep everyone entertained. Make sure to catch the shuttle from the Casino Fandango parking garage: parking at Fuji Park is extremely limited. ‘Break a leg’ to the cast of Peter Pan. Youth Theater Carson City opens tonight at the Community Center.

FRIDAY: Full Moon Tonight:

• ‘Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Protecting bat habitat across Nevada, and why doing so is good for all, is the topic of the Nevada State Museum, Carson City’s August program from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 27 presented by Jenni Jeffers.

Nevada is home to 23 species of bats. Its 250,000 abandoned mines have become important artificial roost sites for a large portion of our bat population for at least a part of their life. Jeffers will share how important bat habitat is protected and show photos of the species using these abandoned mines.

The story of one of the most rugged and resilient Nevada families, as told by one of the state’s most enduring journalists comes to the Nevada State Museum, Carson City Thursday, August 13 as photojournalist Jeff Scheid premieres a one-year exhibit, “Ranching in the High Desert: Five Generations, One Family.”

The exhibit text and labels that explain Scheid’s photos are written by Jennifer Robison. The exhibit debuts in the museum’s South Changing Gallery with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. that is free and open to the public.

A lecture about the history of the Nevada State Capital Building will be presented by curator Bob Nylen of the Nevada State Museum from 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. at Sierra Place, 1111 W. College Pkwy in Carson City, NV.

This fourth Thursday of July has been declared National Refreshment Day; teamed up with National Hot Dog Day and Vanilla Ice Cream Day, today should be yummy. More good eats can be found at the Farmers Market in Dayton. All you can eat wings at Firkin and Fox is a popular way to spend a Thursday, or sample something exotic at curry-tasting at Foodies Bystro inside the Brewery Arts Center.

THURSDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E. Proctor St. (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Looking for some fun? Swing dance lessons for beginners are at El Charro’s. Line Dance lessons are just around the corner at Carson Lanes if you prefer. Meet author Jack Harpster at the Carson City Library. He’ll have copies of his book ‘Lumber Baron of the Comstock Lode: The Life and Times Duane L. Bliss’ for signing after a power point presentation. Enjoy a night at Living the Good Life; they have just started doing a karaoke night every other Tuesday. Feed your inner artist at Lake Tahoe Brewing Company. Art Bar Reno is hosting a painting party there tonight.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (7:45am sign in, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Coffee and Legislative Briefing with Senator Ben Kieckhefer and Assemblyman P.K. O'Neill in the Silver Oak Executive Conference Center (8am; $5)

I hope you’re hungry, Carson City. Hungry and adventurous. The annual Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair hits Glen Eagles this weekend, and there will be plenty to sample. If you need something cold to drink, head to 7-ELEVEN for a free small slushee from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in celebration of Seven Eleven Day. The Farmers Market is always a good bet on Saturday mornings for sampling all the yummy stuff that grows nearby.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Young Eagle Flights (Weather Permitting; open to ages 8-17; registration 8am at the Airport Terminal Building, orientation 8:30am; free) Coffee and Donuts (8am-12pm, all welcome) at 2500 E. College Pkwy
• Garage Sale to benefit CASI (Carson Animal Shelter Initiative) at 611 Marsh Road, located at the end of East Fifth St. (8am-?)

The Nevada State Museum, Carson City’s Family Fun Saturday program for July is “Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter,” for ages 10 through adult from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 11. No reservations needed.

The event is designed to allow visitors to gain appreciation for American Indian cultures of the Great Basin, with an emphasis on archaeological methods for learning about the ways people used shelters in the past.

Are you ready for the weekend, Carson City? I know that the Taste of Downtown is hard to beat, but the new Battleborn Brews, Bikes, and Bubbly has thrown its hat in the ring. Live music, vendors, competitions that test motorcycle driving skill and moustache growing ability. The brewfest and tasting is tomorrow night, but the fun will begin today at noon. Shine up your hot rod, the Karson Kruzers’ Run Whatcha Brung Show hits Fuji Park tomorrow, but you can register and show off your ride tonight in the Carson Nugget Parking Lot.

FRIDAY:

• Last day to purchase tickets for the Chamber of Commerce’s 70th Anniversary celebration concert with Lacey J. Dalton at the decommissioned Nevada State Prison ( $40 per person, paid in advance only. Reservations may be made online or by calling the Chamber at 882-1565)
• Reno Rodeo (Ticket prices range from $12 - $27) and Carnival (4pm-12am) at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center

Hot summer nights in the city are here. Battleborn Brews, Bikes, and Bubbly hits downtown tomorrow, along with Karson Kruser’s Run Whatcha Brung car show, but there is plenty of fun tonight. Head over to Living the Good Life for Salsa night and learn a few new steps. The Reno Rodeo is still in full swing; line dancing at Beercade will get you ready. Test your knowledge at Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar’s Trivia Night. The Dangberg Historical Ranch is hosting the Jug Stompers, so grab a blanket and bring the whole family down for a concert on their lawn.

THURSDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (sign in 7:45am, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes: includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Carson City Library’s Summer Reading Program is getting help this morning from the Carson City Fire Department with a kickoff Breakfast for Books launch in the parking lot of the library. The breakfast runs until 10 a.m. Tickets are $3 and gets you a plate of pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and juice.

This year’s program, Every Hero has a Story, will be hosted online, with participants signing up and tracking hours read at the carsoncitylibrary.com website. Each participant will be assigned an avatar. As that avatar progresses with minutes read and logged, prizes are unlocked for literary games, author videos and other rewards.

Carson City Library’s Summer Reading Program will kick off with the Breakfast for Books at 8-10 a.m. Saturday.
“It’s important kids keep reading in the summer so they start off strong in the fall,” said Heather Butler, youth services librarian. “This bridges the gap at the end of the school year.”

Follow the Money: How Nevada’s Comstock Lode Built San Francisco and So Much More will be featured in a lecture on June 25, 6:30 p.m. at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City. This program by Gray Brechin will be enjoyed by anyone interested in Nevada history, art and architecture, Comstock mining, cultural geography, and economics.

It’s the first Wednesday which means that Comma Coffee is hosting an art reception for their Backseat Gallery. Don’t miss the exhibit by Su Limbert in the Legislative Gallery, the session is over and the exhibit closes at the end of the week. While you’re downtown head over to the BRIC building on Proctor for the BRIC Art 5 exhibit. By the Nevada State Museum you’ll find the Nevada Arts Council: their gallery is exhibiting Pasha Rashat.

WEDNESDAY:

• All Day Golf Special at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($33 includes cart)
• Wings of Freedom Tour Honoring WWII Veterans: P-1 Mustang, B-17 Flying Fortress, and B-24 Liberator on display at the Minden-Tahoe Airport: 1146 Airport, Minden
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

The last Friday of May and Carson City is hopping. Catch some comedy at the Carson Nugget, the Sierra Nevada Ballet’s one woman show ‘Fancifool’ at the Brewery Arts Center, or some live music. The Trippin King Snakes are at Sassafras, Mo’z Motley Blues are at Living the Good Life, and Stereo Galaxy is ripping it up at Westside Pour House. I suggest you take a gander at the complete list for all the happenings.

FRIDAY:

• Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (178 mile relay race; begins at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno; legs 25-28 run through Carson City)
• ‘Forevermore’ by artist Su Limbert at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

I’m not going to tell you what to do, but if you’ll accept a suggestion, find yourself a hamburger. It’s National Hamburger Day during National Hamburger Month, so you might as well celebrate at the Experimental Aircraft Association's weekly burger lunch. If you like random trivia, head over to Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar in the Nugget for their trivia night. Or burn off that burger with some salsa dancing at El Charro Avita or country line dancing at Beercade.

THURSDAY:

• CCAI Exhibit: Tuscarora, by artist Ron Arthaud at the Carson City Community Center’s Sierra Room (available during public meetings and most evenings 5pm-8pm)
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Train buffs and dignitaries gathered at the Nevada Rail Road Museum under rainy skies, Saturday for the unveiling of the Glenbrook, a historic locomotive that once hauled lumber from Lake Tahoe sawmills to Spooner Summit.

“Nowhere else can you see an event like this,” said Peter Barton, Administrator of the Division of Museums and History. “We’ve done research before we started restoring, we spent months with historians and researchers. The locomotive has been painstakingly restored, no where else can you find a locomotive that has had so much time spent working on it.”

By 1943, it was saved from scrap and donated by the Bliss Family to the Nevada State Museum, where it pleased countless youngsters who crawled all over it outside the museum’s doors on Carson Street for four decades. Restored by the Nevada State Railroad Museum, it is under steam again.

Have you picked your pony yet? The Kentucky Derby is today, but that is far from the only thing running today. Chili on the Comstock is hosting their inaugural Fun with the Runs 5K Saturday at 10 a.m. The 1926 Edwards Motor Car is running, too, and ready for rides at the Nevada Railroad Museum. The wine walk is always a good time, and with Mother’s Day next weekend, it can’t hurt to peruse the shops before you run out of time to pick the perfect gift.

SATURDAY: Kentucky Derby Day:

Time to wine walk, Carson City, thanks to the Downtown Business Association. Saturday, May 2, the festivities begin at 1 p.m. Grab a wine glass, map, and hand stamp at the Carson Nugget, Cactus Jack’s, Carson Jewelry and Loan, Touched by an Angel, or Bella Fiore. You have until 5 p.m. to hit as many stops as possible before the raffle begins.

Just remind yourself that these April showers bring May flowers, and the balmy spring weather is returning in just a few days. This weekend has indoor and outdoor activities aplenty, so you can choose the degree of wind and rain you want to deal with.