sip

The rumors of Santa Claus coming to town are true. The jolly old man is making several appearances today, and is feeling photogenic. Take a ride with him at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, join him on the ‘Elf Crawl’ from the Capitol to the Carson Mall, or tell him your wish list at Debug Computers. Adults have a hard choice to make: the monthly downtown wine walk and the Holiday with a Hero Pub Crawl both take place today, and I’m not sure I’d recommend attempting both.

Tis the season for visits with Santa, holiday twinkle lights, and craft fairs and festivals. In order to make your December planning a little easier, take a look at what is coming up in the Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton, and Virginia City area. Go deck the halls, get some jingle bells, and wassail away.

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, you’ll see twinkling lights appearing everywhere. Carson City doesn’t light up our downtown until next Friday, but if you need an immediate fix of holiday decorations, Minden has got you covered. Candy Cane Lane at the Carson Valley Inn is a custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display. ‘Nevada Christmas’ is a private home on Chaparral Court, just off Stephanie Way, and puts the holly jollies into the holiday.

SUNDAY:      

Once the turkey has been devoured, all thoughts turn toward shopping. Shop Small Saturday helps to throw a spotlight on our local gems, and the great gifts you’ll find. New this year is Museum Store Sunday with both the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum participating. Make time for family and friends at the annual Nutcracker Ballet performed by Pinkerton Ballet at the Carson City Community Center. Keep reading and have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

FRIDAY:

Although Veterans Day was observed yesterday, there are several things today that honor our former members of the military. Battle Born Harley Davidson is throwing an appreciation party complete with food trucks. Virginia City’s annual Veterans Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. and the City of Reno will commence their parade after a short ceremony beginning at 11:11 a.m. You’ll find an abundance of craft fairs in Carson City, Carson Valley, and Dayton. Western Nevada Musical Theater Co.

Summer is holding on for dear life, and sending a miniature heat wave our way for this long weekend. For those of you not in Black Rock City, the Carson City region offers plenty of recreation and entertainment. Downtown will be hopping with the Farmers Market, monthly Wine Walk, and this season’s last outdoor concert at the Brewery Arts Center – and that’s just Saturday! Keep reading for three days of good times.

SATURDAY:

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.

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 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

Sierra Nevada Ballet will perform Brew, Brats, and Ballet this Sunday, April 30, 4 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. Tickets can be purchased breweryarts.org.

The Carson Visitor’s Center has put together a great art walk pamphlet that helps you explore our downtown culture. The Legislature is home to a few rotating galleries; you’ll find lots of local art at the Brewery Arts Center; and Capital City Arts Initiative sponsors shows at the Courthouse, Community Center and in the Community Development building by City Hall. Whether you prefer indoors or outdoors activities, today has something to offer.

Welcome to Wednesday, Carson City. No reason to wait for the weekend, there’s always something happening around town. Sip and paint for a good cause at Van Gogh and Vino. You’ll need to head to their website to sign up for the special Cold Nose Rescue fundraiser. See what funny-lady Kat Simmons has taught her comedy students at a their debut Showcase tonight. Aspiring cosmetologists have a new local option. Sierra Academy of Style welcomes you to an open house today to meet the owners and instructors.

WEDNESDAY:

No time for fooling, it’s time for another wine walk: thanks to the Downtown Business Association. Every first Saturday over 30 shops, restaurants, businesses, and organizations stock up on wine and goodies and throw open their doors to the crowds of merry-makers. It's always a great reason to explore downtown. The festivities begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1, and you have until 5 p.m. to hit as many stops as possible before the raffle begins.

Like to shop? How about sip wine? Love good deals? Then this event will be perfect for you! This year's Carson Victory Rollers Annual Rummage Sale will be pairing up with the Carson Mall to bring you a great sale and wine walk.

Shopping begins at 10am, Saturday, March 25, and corks will pop and wine will be poured 11am until 5pm. You can get a wine glass and wristband for the wine walk for only $10 or just come and shop our great bargains. Want to rummage without the wine? CVR Juniors will be selling baked goods and non-alcoholic beverages at the Rummage Sale, as well.

I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine while it was here, more rain is on the way. Take those spring-breakers to a movie; Galaxy Theater rewards members can enjoy $6.50 movies all day today. Sip something yummy at the Courtyard by Marriott during their wine tasting and open house. Normally the Carson City Photo Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month, but due to a scheduling conflict, the meeting is tonight. Dues are only $15 a year and you’ll get the chance to enter their monthly competitions: this month the theme is ‘Winter.’

TUESDAY:

We’ll wake up to sunshine, but some snow may be in the cards this afternoon. Please drive safe when it’s slick out. ‘Our Story, Inc.’ takes you on a tour of Black History in Northern Nevada in the foyer of the Legislature; they’ll be on hand at the Carson Library this evening for a special Black History Month Celebration. Get a jump on spring cleaning and lend a hand to the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. You’ll find their clothing drive at Red’s Old 395 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Show off your skills at Retro Replay if you fancy yourself a Smash Bros.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Sip hot chocolate and enjoy holiday treats while learning about the origins of traditions like Santa Claus, candy canes and Christmas trees. This holiday-themed presentation will also include historic Christmas scenes from around Northern Nevada and mining towns, including Virginia City and Tonopah.

Enjoy a break from the wet weather today, rain is expected to return Tuesday. The Arlington Square Ice Rink is temporarily closed due to some storm damage sustained over the weekend, but the great people of the Parks and Recreation Department are working hard to have it up and running soon. Enjoy an evening with the girls at Bella Fiore tonight. A Sip and Shop event featuring local vendors begins at 5 p.m. If you’re interested in the theater, consider attending the board meeting for the Proscenium Players tonight.

The Downtown Business Association (DBA) is holding its monthly Wine Walk this Saturday, adding to holiday festivities scheduled in and around downtown Carson City this weekend.

The Carson City Host Lions Club held its inaugural Pitch, Putt and Sip recently at Silver Oak Golf Course. It was a successful event made possible by General Manager Terrie McNutt and PGA Pro Robert Mason along with their staff.

This golf event was a social event and not a competitive links style tournament. There were 44 people who participated in the creative golf tournament. There were three teams that won first, second and third place.

Celebrate Lake Tahoe’s most prestigious food, wine, spirit and brew festival this fall at the 31st Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival September 9-11.

Presented by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and held at Northstar California Resort, the three-day festival features hands-on mixology and cooking classes, food, wine and craft beer pairings, a Farm-to-Tahoe dinner, tastings held at mid-mountain, and family-friendly events — all culminating in Sunday’s Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting.

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:

Friday! We have survived the workweek, and for the students of Western Nevada College, the semester. Kick up your heels and enjoy yourselves tonight. Whether you want karaoke, comedy, live music, or dancing: you have a multitude of choices. Sip wine and paint at Van Gogh and Vino or Mona Lisa and Wine. Enjoy open mic at A to Zen or dance performances at Comma Coffee. Bella Voce presents their ‘Poets Great and Small’ free spring concert at the Methodist Church on Musser St. So many choices: take a look at the whole list to find out what is right for you.

FRIDAY:

The first Sunday of every month, join Genoa businesses for a walk through town while sipping at all participating businesses. From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., $12 gets you a keepsake glass and a passport to sample a sweet and a sip at each stop. Over 21 only, must have I.D.

The support, enjoyment and participation in Wine and Art events is growing in Carson City.

It is evident with the opening of two new businesses that offer social gathering art classes and the enjoyment of adult libations, music and tasty tidbits. Both of these creative businesses have opened within two weeks of each other.

It's time once again to sip, shop and stroll through beautiful downtown Genoa during our September 6 event. The drink is Vodka, the non-profit recipient is "Suicide Prevention Network" and Nigel St. Hubbins will provide the entertainment once again. What better way to spend part of your Labor Day Weekend than with us in Genoa?

Van Gogh & Vino, an open art studio where participants of all skills and abilities can sip wine, socialize and paint works of art with friends, family and co-workers, will relocated from Carson Valley to a 2,000 square foot studio in Carson City by Red's Old 395 Grill and the new Tahoe Ridge Winery. Owner Teresa Sexton made the announcement Wednesday on Facebook.

Come on out Sunday, July 5th to "Sip, Shop & Stroll" Main Street in Genoa. The drinks will be Rum-based, the non-profit recipient will be Carson Valley Arts Council and the entertainment will be "Nigel St. Hubbins". Returning sippers bring your glass and save $2 off of the $12 admission. A completed passport will get you a chance at $100 in Genoa Bucks. More fun contests throughout the day. Check-in is on the porch of the Masonic Lodge. Cheers!!

Memorial Day weekend is nearly here and for many it is the first outdoor adventure of 2015. Pack your rain gear for the long holiday, just in case as there is a chance of showers. So, where to go on the long weekend?