OXS Gallery

Autumn is coming. It seems our days of 80+ degree weather is over, but so are rainy days we’ve seen this week. The Carson Aquatic Center welcomes everyone to a ‘Dive-in Movie’ on their new LED screen: Finding Nemo is a perfect flick for the whole family. Funnyman Adam Stone headlines this week’s Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget for those needing a good laugh. The Carson Area Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America will gather to honor those who have given their all and have yet to come home during a POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on the Capitol Grounds.

The weekend is creeping closer and there are a few things worth getting excited about. The annual Reno National Air Races began yesterday and run through Sunday, if high-flying and death-defying gets your blood pumping. Not to be outdone, Virginia City welcomes the Ferrari Hill Climb to the truck route this weekend – leave the hairpin turns to the professionals. Today you’ll have Ev Musselman on stage at Living the Good Life to help erase your workweek worries.

Ready to head back to school, Carson City? The entire community is invited to attend the Open House Open Hearts Community Fair at Carson High School this evening. You’ll be treated to performances from our talented students, yummy treats created by the CHS Culinary students, and a plethora of information from community services like the library and Boys and Girls Club. Wheeled Food Wednesdays at the Brewery Arts Center is contingent on nice weather, so it’s too early to tell if the rain clouds will cooperate.

Northern Nevada is filled with very different people with a wide variety of interests. I strive to make sure that my things-to-do lists reflect the many options available to you. Today, for example, you’ll find a fundraiser for Catmandu, the monthly meeting of the fly fishing club, some country line dancing, jazz and poetry, and a walk along the historic Blue Line Trail. No two Tuesdays are alike (or Wednesdays or Thursdays, for that matter), so it’s always worth checking out. Now that we are moving into autumn, the activities in Carson City change like the leaves.

As you drive through Carson City today, the flags at half-mast are a somber reminder of the lives lost during the attack on the World Trade Center. If you’d like some time to reflect, the memorial in Mills Park is the perfect setting. Learn how to lend a hand to the next generation during a volunteer workshop at the Senior Citizen’s Center: reading help is needed and the volunteer commitment is only one hour a week. They say laughter is the best medicine, and funny-lady Kat Simmons is the prescription.

One might think that after Labor Day, it starts to get quiet around here. They would be mistaken. September is chock-full of adventure, starting with this weekend’s Virginia City International Camel Races and the Great Reno Balloon Races. You won’t want to miss the last of the Third Street Stage Concerts in McFadden Plaza: Shane Dwight is tonight’s featured performer. It’s the last day to see the Photography and Regular Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery, they’ll have their new Autumn Show on display Sunday.

FRIDAY:

Head to bed early tonight, the Great Reno Balloon races are best enjoyed by early risers. Not to be outdone, Virginia City has discovered that camels and emus are even more hilarious to race. You’ve got plenty to look forward to this weekend, but don’t discount today. Jimmy Mallett will sing you back to yesteryear at Living the Good Life. You’ll get your motor running at Battle Born Harley Davidson’s weekly bike night.

THURSDAY:

Six years ago, shots rang out and Carson City was thrust into the middle of a tragedy. Four people died in the IHOP shooting, three of them National Guard members. Today, they will be honored again during the annual Remembrance Run. If you are driving along Fairview, please give them some extra room. Wheeled Truck Wednesday at the Brewery Arts Center is a ‘weather permitting’ event, so keep your eye out for rain clouds.

It’s back to school and back to work, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Get your kicks on the dance floor in Carson Lanes’ Eleventh Frame Lounge; DJ Bobby will teach you how to line dance. The Classic Cinema Club presents Edmond O'Brien and Pamela Britton in ‘D.O.A.’ Get there at 6:30 p.m. for discussion and film trivia. For the true trivia junkies, the Fox Brewpub hosts DJ Trivia tonight – all ages are welcome and there are prizes at stake. Halloween lovers of all ages will want to participate in the upcoming production of ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ at Piper’s Opera House.

Labor Day weekend usually signifies the end of summer. Give it one heck of a send-off: the downtown Carson wine walk, rib cook-off in Sparks, Virginia City's Civil War Days, and the Heavenly Days carnival, music festival and car show in South Lake Tahoe are but a few of your options. Tonight, Improv at the Brewery Arts Center will get the belly laughs going. Unwind with some live music at Living the Good Life or some karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill. Artisan Gail Rogers is the featured guest at tonight's Carson City Art Gallery reception.

FRIDAY:

In the blink of an eye, a three-day weekend will be here. No need to wait for the Best of the West Rib Cook-off, though – bar-be-que is already on the menu in Sparks’ Victorian Square. Dangberg Historic Home Ranch is hosting the last of its Twilight Concerts of the season, so grab a picnic dinner and the family for some live music in a beautiful setting. You don’t need a motorcycle to enjoy Battle Born Harley Davidson’s Bike Night – their full bar is a fun time, no matter your wheel count.

THURSDAY:

Welcome to Wednesday, Carson City. The middle of the week may be known as hump day, but the Brewery Arts Center wants it to be something to look forward to. Wheeled Food Wednesday features family fun, community, and plenty of yummy eats from local food trucks. It’s generally thought that Carson City was named after Kit Carson, but that’s only partially true. The Carson River was named for the explorer, while Carson City was named for the river that runs through it. Learn more about this important high desert watershed at Dayton State Park.

Labor Day weekend approaches. In addition to being a wine walk weekend in lovely downtown Carson City, the annual Best in the West Rib Cook-off in Sparks and Virginia City’s Civil War Days promise to make it a weekend packed with fun. Join Parks and Recreation for an easy walk through our historical east side or get your heart rate up with Muscle Powered this afternoon as they trek through Voltaire Canyon. Job seekers may find what they're looking for at the Carson Nugget: all experience levels are welcome for their Job Fair featuring several casino, hotel, and restaurant openings.

It’s the Wildcats turn to head back to campus. The fall semester at Western Nevada College kicks off today. The Reading Partners Program is welcoming volunteers that would like to lend a hand to kids learning to read. Attend their short seminar today and you’ll be on your way helping instill a love of reading to the next generation. Get on the dance floor at Carson Lanes. You’ll find a beginner’s swing dance class, one for intermediate dancers, and a few hours of open dancing to show off your new moves.

MONDAY:

Congrats, Carson kids, you've just about survived the first week of school. Families can celebrate with a concert in Minden Park that will be filled with the music of Credence Clearwater Survival. Adults will enjoy an outdoor concert at Living the Good Life with Mo'z Motley Blues Band - just make sure to wish the proprietress a happy birthday. Fallon might be a few miles away, but their Cantaloupe Festival, Carnival, and Country Fair is sure to make up for the drive with delicious offerings and a fun country tribute concert.

strong>FRIDAY:

The question of the day at the Nevada State Museum is ‘who.’ Jenni Jeffers, a wildlife biologist, will answer that question at this month’s lecture focusing on the nearly dozen species of owls that call Nevada home. Those over 55 are in for a treat: the Carson City Hot Springs is offering free admission to their outdoor pools today. It may be a nice enough evening for patio karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar, but if not, there is plenty of room inside for everyone that wants to take a turn at the mic.

THURSDAY:

I’m really hoping for rain. Unfortunately, rain brings thunder and lightning with it, and we are already suffering the effects of lightning. Thanks and praises to the men and women fighting the fire in Voltaire Canyon and for all of your hard work keeping those neighborhoods safe. Smoke may be bad around the valley, so find something indoors to enjoy: our plethora of art exhibits and galleries offer up something beautiful. Hit the road with Smokey and the Bandit at Galaxy Theater. If you have an interest in the digital arts, the Wired Wednesday group meets tonight at Paradise Salon. On the agenda is a discussion of their upcoming short film competition and a recap of last week’s Jukebox International Film Festival.

WEDNESDAY:

We are starting to see a little bit of a cool down, which makes a summer stroll all the more enjoyable. Join the Friends of the Nevada State Museum for a walking tour along the blue line; you’ll learn more about this historical district and the people who lived there. The Kings Canyon Waterfall is always spectacular, and today’s Muscle Powered Conditioning Hike will take you there and show off some amazing views of our valley. Thinking caps are optional at the Fox Brewpub during tonight’s DJ Trivia.

TUESDAY:

What a day we have in store. Sure, it’s off to school for the kids in Carson City, but this will be a day to remember for another reason, the solar eclipse. A huge swath of our country will see a total solar eclipse, but here in Carson City, only 81 percent of totality will be achieved. That means there is NO time that you can look at the sun without risking injury. I repeat: do NOT look directly at the sun. The Jazz and Beyond Music Festival bids farewell to another year with a free concert in McFadden Plaza featuring the talented members of the Mile High Jazz Band.

Let's kick off the weekend with a street party, or two. The HopeFest Concert at the Carson Tahoe Medical Center is a family friendly celebration. Grab something from a food truck, enter their raffle, and get your groove on. The music doesn't stop when the sun goes down though. You've got your choice of Deception at Living the Good Life, or Mentally Spent on the Third Street Stage in McFadden Plaza. Douglas County has Summerfest in Minden Park: live music, yummy eats, and a come-as-you-are car show sure to get Carson Valley hoppin.

It’s a wine-walking kind of day: join in the thirsty Thursday fun in downtown Gardnerville and stick around for the coffee and dessert after-party in Heritage Park. Sneak in an afternoon musical getaway with No Comprende at the Carson Mall. Take a melodious trip around the world with Tom Green: instruments from all over are the focus of a lecture and concert tonight at the Brewery Arts Center. Keep reading and let Thursday surprise you.

THURSDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

This summer is flying by and the fun is heating up.

The Jazz and Beyond Music Festival has buddied up with something new this year. Today and tomorrow, the Jukebox International Film Festival features fifteen contestants competing in four categories. Youth Theater Carson City and Western Nevada Musical Theater alum, Grant Davis, is back in town to show support for ‘Something Like Summer,’ the Australian musical he stars in. Make sure you’re in McFadden Plaza around 5 p.m. Davis will be performing songs from the movie and music from his debut album on the Third Street Stage.

I’ve got some bad news for the kids in Douglas County – it’s back to school for you today. Carson kids still have one last week to enjoy their summertime freedom and Lyon County has until Aug. 31. Don’t let Monday get you down, though, there’s still plenty to enjoy. Head down to Carson Lanes for beginning and intermediate swing dance lessons, then stick around to put your new moves to the test. The Jazz and Beyond Music Festival continues with a free outdoor concert in McFadden Plaza.

Summer nights are made to be enjoyed. Grab the kids, a blanket and picnic, and head to the park nearest you. Mills Park in Carson City features its first ever ‘Movie in the Park’ tonight with a showing of ‘Sing’. Gardnerville’s last of the season movie is Disney’s ‘Moana.’ Dancing shoes are recommended, but not required, for this week’s outdoor concert in McFadden Plaza: Musicole begins at 7:30 p.m. Get there early to see the amazing talent in 'We Rock Kidz' on the stage in Comma Coffee's Courtyard. Keep reading for all of today's hot August options.

Are you itching for the weekend? It will be musically magical with a plethora of Jazz and Beyond Music Festival events throughout town. It’s a classic car lover’s dream come true, as well, with Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks. But don’t get ahead of yourself, today has some great options for a good time. Enjoy some air conditioned entertainment with the Carolyn Dolan Band at the Carson Mall. ‘Elvis, Marilyn and the Space Aliens’ and their place in the movies is the topic of this month’s Douglas County Historical Society’s lecture.

What to do on a Wednesday? If you travel down this list, you’ll find the new Wheeled Food Wednesdays at the Brewery Arts Center featuring a line-up of local food trucks and family fun. Jazz and Beyond brings you a free outdoor concert with Lake Effect in the Comma Coffee Courtyard. Chris Bayer transforms into Major Ormsby at Dangberg Home Historic Ranch’s Chautauqua tonight. Get on the Highway to the Danger Zone and it will take you to Top Gun on the big screen at Galaxy Theaters.

A jazzy Tuesday has arrived. Catch the Millennial Bugs this evening as they perform in the Comma Coffee Courtyard. Take the kids up to Silver City this morning and they’ll get a chance to explore the Community Garden, learn about the plants and flowers, and participate in an activity. The Deputy Howell Memorial Concert is just a week and a half away. Attend the meeting for volunteers and help this event go off without a hitch.

TUESDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

• -- Hot August Nights

I must admit, the rainy cool-down has been a nice break from what was a very hot July. You may see a little more of the wet stuff this afternoon, so have a back-up plan for outdoor activities. Find some inner peace with the Monks of Nechung Monastery. They’ll lead meditation and teach about the Buddhist philosophy and compassion during their visit to the Brewery Arts Center. High Sierra Swing Dance Club is shaking things up. Their weekly night out has a new home at the Eleventh Frame Lounge in Carson Lanes, and now both beginners and intermediate lessons will precede the open dancing.

Nevada artists Paul Ford and Dennis Hinton, whose “Environmental Perspective” exhibit has been displayed at the Nevada Arts Council’s OXS Gallery since June, will take part in an artists’ reception and talk on Tuesday, Aug. 8.